That Christmas Parent Guide

When the quaint British town of Wellington-on-Sea is shaken by a huge blizzard on Christmas Eve, the plans of its residents, and even the jolly old elf himself, are thrown into disarray. As families grapple with the harsh weather, their stories begin to intertwine, sometimes with a little help from Santa.

Children’s holiday films are rarely surprising, and even more rarely are they memorable. The classics are classics for a reason, and those don’t come along every year. That Christmas, for the most part, is generic, forgettable, and thoroughly predictable. I don’t anticipate it becoming an annual favorite, nor do I think it does enough to warrant that status. But there is a kernel of something beautiful here, and that is worth celebrating.

I spent the first two acts checking my watch and trying not to get distracted by my phone. I was bored and had no idea where the story was going. Although the quaint British charm is worth noting, that wasn’t enough to hold my attention. However, the third act manages to bring the stories together into a heartfelt, wholesome ending that brought a tear to my eye. This is a film that isn’t afraid to show the melancholy side of the holidays, as loss and disappointment are amplified against the public-facing cheer of the season. The film reminds us that the true meaning of Christmas is coming together as families and communities to lift each other up.

I wish that the first two thirds lived up to the last, but the pace is too slow, and the story takes too long to get going for it to be consistently entertaining. There are also very few jokes or funny moments, which will make it difficult for young viewers to stay focused. But for those willing to give the movie a try, the runtime is short and the messages are sweet and earnest. The relative lack of negative content makes this a safe choice for most audiences, and there are far worse things you can have on in the background during the holidays. Believe me.