It’s the magical month of December that tempts you to cuddle on your couch and watch a nice movie that would make you feel warm in the heart. The Christmas spirit is already in air, and preparations will soon begin. What do you feel like doing in this beautiful time? FMW feels like lighting the fire place, having hot cocoa and running a Christmas movie marathon!
A Christmas Carol (1984):
Although there have been various manifestations of Charles Dicken’s novella A Christmas Carol, this by far seems to be the best one. Made for television, it is directed by Clive Donner and stars George C. Scott, whose excellent performance remains the USP of this version. The story revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge, a materialistic and miserly man who has no true friends but too many excuses for being the selfish person that he is. He particularly hates Christmas but learns a lesson when three ghosts show him his past, present as well as a most likely future, if he doesn’t mend his ways. Watch Now!
Not exactly a version but more of an adaptation is the movie Scrooged (1988), starring Bill Murray. The story is about a selfish TV executive named Frank who is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future making him realise the things he has lost and will lose if he remains the same. A little trivia about the movie would be that Frank’s brother James is played by Bill Murray’s younger brother John. His father is played by Bill’s older brother Brian Doyle-Murray. It’s a movie one can watch every Christmas!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947):
It is a very sweet movie and focuses on Santa! Doris Walker, a Macy’s executive ends up in a bad situation in which he needs to make a very last minute arrangement for a Santa Claus. Kris Kringle seems to be perfect for the role and he also insists that he in fact is the real Santa. She obviously doesn’t take him seriously. He turns out to be very popular with the kids, but after failing the psychological test of the store department, he is dragged to the court.
However, his friend Fred Gaily comes to his rescue and tries to convince the court as well as Doris and her six year old daughter that Kris is speaking the truth. What follows is a very strange court hearing. Will he be able to achieve the impossible and prove Kris to be the real Santa? Watch now!
Holiday in Handcuffs:
If you are not in a mood for a classic but are rather feeling romantic, then this one’s for you. Gertrude ‘Trudie’ Chandler, a wanna be artist but actually a waitress loses her job, breaks up with her boyfriend and is afraid of looking like a loser in front of her entire family. Out of desperation, she kidnaps a handsome man, David Martin and takes him home with her for the holidays to an isolated extravagant cottage. Her family is convinced that he is her guy and eventually they develop a mutual admiration for each other. After a lot of efforts, the poor guy is able to contact his brat like fiancé who promises to get help from police to rescue him. Meanwhile, Chandler and Martin feel perfect in that imperfect world and thus begin to feel differently about each other. A romantic bliss, it makes you believe love exists even if you are single. Watch Now!
So, go ahead, keep yourself warm with hot chocolate and your favourite Christmas cinematic treats! xx
By: Akanksha Narang
