‘Last Christmas’ – Review
The festive season is on its way, and director Paul Feig is ready to delight once again and this has led him to direct the charming Last Christmas, and audiences will have a ball with this one.
Kate (Emilia Clarke) harumphs around London, a bundle of bad decisions accompanied by the jangle of bells on her shoes, another irritating consequence from her job as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. Tom (Henry Golding) seems too good to be true when he walks into her life and starts to see through so many of Kate’s barriers. As London transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, nothing should work for these two. But sometimes, you gotta let the snow fall where it may, you gotta listen to your heart … and you gotta have faith.
When it comes to Christmas movies it can sometimes feel like it’s hard to find a new spin on the genre. But Last Christmas is that film, and thanks to Feig’s genius handling of the film’s comedy, and an incredibly clever script, this film is packed out with surprises and a whole host of Christmas cheer. Feig and his super talented cast who include Emilia Clarke, Henry Goulding, Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson bring everything together in a film that is packed out with joy and which will have you laughing your head off.
Taking the lead in the film is rising A-lister Emilia Clarke as Kate, a perpetually unlucky singer who works in a year-round Christmas store and who has moved into being somewhat of a basket-case with little to no drive to do anything except feed her own self-destructive tendencies. But with a bit of luck and a push in the right direction, Kate can find the meaning in her life and sets out on a journey to do a little good in the world. Clarke is adorable in her role as Kate and she clearly had a lot of fun with this project. Her goofball antics keep things fun and she shows a real knack for comedy which will certainly bring a smile to your face.
Swooping into Last Christmas and bringing plenty of hunky charisma with him is Henry Goulding as Tom, a kind-hearted stranger who finds Kate amid her latest bender and helps her pull through, while cheering her up in the process. Soon romance blooms and this love story takes on a very interesting tangent that audiences won’t see coming. Goulding is effortlessly charming as Tom and he’s got a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step that is sure to make audiences happy and his natural chemistry with Clarke proves why he’s one of the most in-demand talents around.
Feig has a ball with the comedy here and alongside the hi-jinks of Clarke and Goulding he also teases out some terrific performances from Michelle Yeoh as Kate’s boss “Santa” and Emma Thompson as her mother Petra. In terms of the cinematic experience, Feig packs this film out with joy and it’s a real celebration of Christmas and the coming together that this holiday symbolizes. It’s fun, zany and very original in its construction and audiences are sure to feel their hearts flutter with this one.
Last Christmas is without-a-doubt the feel-good movie of the year, and it promises plenty of fun and a whole heap of laughs. There’s joy to be had here and you’ll walk out of this one with a big smile on your face.
Image: Universal Pictures
