The Man Who Invented Christmas is a look at the life of famous author Charles Dickens as he attempted to write what has become a classic novel, 'A Christmas Carol'.
Now, as is occasionally necessary on this blog, I need to start with a confession. I've not read A Christmas Carol. In fact, I've not read any Dickens. (Shout out to my girl Leigh Sales who also hasn't and any Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast listeners reading this who appreciate the significance.) I've never even seen any of the film adaptations. Shame on me, right? Whatever you guys, these are the facts.
So from my no-Dickens perspective, I offer this observation re the film about the great man... it's quite charming and I really enjoyed it.
Dickens is struck with writer's block after some early writing successes followed by more recent duds. (You know to not bother asking me about them, right?) His wife, children and staff, including a housekeeper played by the fabulous Miriam Margolyes, are suffering under the strain of his increasingly desperate need to come up with a hit and frankly, some cashola. His mother and father come to visit and the complex relationship and history he has with his father adds even further strain. A number of flashbacks to Charles' childhood help us understand this.
To cut to the chase, he comes up with his hit idea and the characters in the book become characters in the film, visiting Charles as they come to life on the pages of the novel, helping shape the story. Chief among them is Ebenezer Scrooge, an anti-Christmas & generally grouchy bloke, for fellow non-Dickens readers/watchers... I know you're out there! Scrooge is played by an old fav of mine, Christopher Plummer, perhaps best known for his turn as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He was hubba-hubba-hot back in those days but a tad less so now*.
At 105 minutes the film isn't crazily long but I reckon it would have benefited from a little shaving down to 95 or so. Nonetheless, this is a lovely film I would happily recommend, regardless of where you stand on Charles Dickens.
Trailer here. In cinemas 30 November.
*not in any way hot now.