Story Movie
Kate works in a Christmas goods store, abuses booze and gave up worrying about her own life a long time ago. But everything changes after meeting sweet and charming Tom.
Review 4K Movie
“LAST CHRISTMAS” is a generally good, but far from perfect tape. It's just full of problems. Romcom is assembled by clichés, offers nothing super new. But even here they try to bypass all the secondary characterization, surprise you with an unexpected twist and make the picture heartwarming.
So, as always, I'll write a fig cloud of text, and then you will make certain conclusions ...
1. The script
It was written by Oscar winner Emma Thompson and Greg Wise. It is based on the song of the same name by the band Wham!, so whoever is familiar with the lyrics and is a fan of the band and George Michael, there will be no spoilers and surprises for you. The lyrics themselves are already a huge spoiler! But come on...
The plot, as in all Paul Feig's paintings, focuses on a girl. Kate works as an elf in a Christmas gift store. Her life is a lot of trouble and one big difficulty, but everything changes after she meets a certain Tom.
The first third is assembled purely from clichés. And it goes over almost all possible in the genre, although I'm exaggerating a bit too much. But it was interesting to watch, I won't hide it. The second third rolled into even more secondary comedy, which became duller and drearier. Plus, I have questions about the crap they say in the dialogs. Yeah, that's what causes the plot holes. Well after the third act I was ready to “forget” all those holes, most take for convention. The climax was though expected (because the movie is based on a song, and I remember the lyrics almost completely), but quite touching and heartfelt. Yes, it is the strongest moment of the movie. Fig really delivered the scene in the format that was needed. Everything was done in such a way that the audience would remember it.
What about the characters? They're okay. I can say that they're typical for a romantic comedy. The main character is a character who has problems, but she tries to deal with them. It's mostly just her. Also, it's a little too limited. They mostly emphasize the problem she's been through.
The others are added just for background and to reveal the main character. Tom, Santa and all the others show the most “one-sided” character traits possible. And as you've already guessed, also assembled by the standards of such tapes.
Overall: the script is uneven. There are some overly weak moments that go with the flow; the characters are all secondary and it is impossible for them to stand out in any way. But still, the film has some good humor, a mostly interesting plot and a touching climax with the finale.
And all this is accompanied by George Michael's music.
All in all, far from bad.
2. actors
There's nothing wrong with this one. Typical standard. But, of course, there is an actress who really stood out. Naturally, it's Emilia Clarke. Charisma; sarcastic, humorous dialogues and just good acting. Dada has nothing to add.
I can't say anything global about the others.
Henry Golding has built himself quite a career in a short time. I don't know how, but for a couple of years he starred in davolno not bad in quality and scale of pictures, and soon to be released a movie by Guy Ritchie. But I wouldn't say he's a great actor. He plays okay, but to have him in every other Fig movie.... well, maybe in Gentlemen, he'll come around. I'm not being negative. It's just really weird that a person's career can take such rapid strides.
And Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson are in the movie solely to make their characters memorable. Yes, I've said it too often, but what can you do if that's the case.
In other words - the acting is quite okay. I mean not bad at all, but not brilliant for sure.
3- Atmosphere
The atmosphere of Christmas is perfectly conveyed. It fits the season perfectly. The scenery, the snow, the costumes, the songs - everything fits the winter holidays.
Every George Michael track creates a whole new ambiance. Basically the one that's needed in the scene. And “Last Christmas” is already considered synonymous with “end of the year”, is the title track to the picture.
What else is there to say?
First of all to interest the viewer should be the script, then the actors. But for me the main reason for watching it was the music by George Michael. It's my childhood. I always wanted to hear his songs on the big screen. Even if it was in the background and in stripped-down versions. His songs have become legendary hits, and you can guess the motifs from the first second. And maybe it's not the main thing in the film, but it's a great addition to the story as such. It's perfect. For me it is.
Bottom line:
“Last Christmas” is not a bad romcom. It doesn't grab stars from the sky, but at least tries to surprise. There is good and mostly working humor in the picture; great sound from Wham! and George Michael, which I repeat for the damn tenth time; Emilia Clarke, who tries to play a bright comedy role; and, of course, an interesting plot along with the concept.
But there are some problems, too. For example, in the spoken dialogs, not bringing the lines of the characters and their goals to the end, as well as other plot holes.
But still most of the picture can be forgiven, because in general it copes with its function and is a good representative of its genre. Even with all the flaws. Seriously, I “forgot” about them right after the climax in the third act.
If you are interested in the movie, you can go see it. I personally was not disappointed at all. The promos represent the whole picture quite faithfully. And yes... An ideal option for watching in the company of a girl.
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