The Man Who Invented Christmas
The story of how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) came to write A Christmas Carol in 1843 gets a terrible mangling at the hands of writer Susan Coyne and director Bharat Narulli. Dickens’ tale did indeed play a major role in shaping how the English-speaking world celebrates the holiday, and Dickens often spoke of his characters crowding him in his study, badgering him to tell their stories (hence the presence here of Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge himself). But Coyne and Narulli strike a false note virtually every minute, beginning with a ridiculous portrayal of the author’s 1842 American tour and running through the climactic Christmas tree in his parlor. The impression, despite Paki Smith’s sumptuous Victorian production design, is one of constant, cheesy falsehood and wasted opportunity.
The film feels like the work of someone who spent his entire life locked in a dark room, only learning about human nature through the movies.
Published on 11.30.17
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Published on 11.30.17
The movie’s pro-tolerance, anti-bullying message is more than a little ham-handed, but it’s redeemed by delicate direction and the honest performances.
Published on 11.30.17
The usual Pixar polish makes the movie vividly colorful, exquisitely textured and gorgeous to behold, but it keeps being dragged down by its shortcomings.
Published on 11.23.17
This episodic coming-of-age movie seems ever on the verge of sliding into sketch comedy, but director and Sacramento native Greta Gerwig’s emotional generosity toward all her characters keeps pulling it back.
Published on 11.23.17