The tree isn’t up, there isn’t a twinkling light in sight. The only evidence of Christmas spirit in my home is a Fir-scented soy candle from Whole Foods. Oh, and these Savage Fenty pajama bottoms:
LOL
Despite my dulled enthusiasm for the holidays this season, I’ve already watched most of my favorite Christmas movies to attempt to stir something up, so I figured I’d share five of them here.
The Holiday, 2006:
“You don’t like tents?”
This came to mind first because I watch it multiple times per season. I want to live in that cottage in Surrey, and I tend to revisit films if I want to universe-escape.
Most of my picks have something in common: a love for the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer scored this one, and while he is best known for more action-adventure scoring, this soundtrack is a departure. My favorite is “Definitely Unexpected” which is the song that accompanies Jude Law’s first meeting with Cameron Diaz. You’re welcome (if you too, love that moment).
I also love Kate Winslet as Iris. She starts out in a state of unrequited torment and slowly rebuilds herself in a surprising way.
Favorite moment: The Three Musketeers blanket fort scene. “Amanda, I love your perfume.” The inflection of “perfume” scratches an itch in my brain.
Bridget Jones’s Diary, 2001
Let’s just say this movie sits in a special place in my heart as a writer / diary enthusiast. I can see how I’ve been shaped by Helen Fielding having read this multiple times in my teens.
“I realize when I met you at the Turkey Curry Buffet that I was unforgivably rude and wearing a reindeer jumper that my mother had given me the day before.“
Mark Darcy is, still deranged (taps nose), Bridget is hilarious, Daniel Cleaver is hot until he is not, and once again, the idea of a lost woman finding herself seems to be a core thing I enjoy.
Okay, none of these so far pass the Bechdel test, do they? I’m showing my limitations. But in Bridget’s case, she pushes for her own identity in the end here. If we ignore the parts where she thinks she is fat at 143, you have the most charming holiday movie with A+ comedic work done by Renee Zellweger.
Favorite moment: often when she’s with her friends. “She’s fine. Drive on!” “To Bridget, just as she is.”
It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946
“Just say the word…”
Look, you can’t go wrong. But you must always steady yourself for this one. It’s heartbreakingly perfect and poignant. It heals parts of you that you didn’t know needed healing. It makes you look at your life, and it’s hard to do that sometimes. I’d say the rewatchability is difficult, but recommended. Maybe even necessary. And if you can and you’re lucky enough to have a special relationship with your parents: watch it with them.
Favorite moment: unsurprisingly (an F in the Bechdel test of my brain) I’m a sucker for the love story.
George Bailey: What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.
Mary: I’ll take it
Love Actually, 2003
Showing my limitations again. But look, hear me out. The score by Scottish composer Craig Armstrong. The opening scene alone, heartfelt and poetically narrated by the lovely Hugh Grant (he is lovely, damnit), never fails to make me as equally weepy as the Emma Thompson scene with Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”. You know which one.
This movie has its failings, for sure. There are blatantly sexist plot points. There are parts they could have left out. But let’s talk about the highlights: the score, Bill Nighy, Hugh Grant’s dance scene (I’m sorry for mentioning Hugh Grant twice, I do see the theme here), and Emma-fucking-Thompson? Let’s be real. This movie is an escapist-dream and I’ll fight anyone on it.
“Oh, Jesus, not that crap again!”
Favorite moment: Jaime and Aurelia. Mostly because of the song, “Saddest Part Of Day.” Okay, it’s the love sick writer in me.
Home Alone, 1990
Never gets old. Another score favorite (John Williams, you know this) and a story that is truly the essence of what Christmas is as a kid. Minus a lot of details.
“This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone. Did you hear me?”
Why do most of us faithfully love this one? It’s just that special. It’s funny (Fuller wiggling his eyebrows with a Pepsi can funny), it’s emotionally layered (we know Kevin’s soul is bigger than the mischief he gets into), it’s got that twinge of nostalgia we were already feeling when we first watched it, and now it aches that much more.
It’s a perfect Christmas movie, accompanied by a perfect sequel.
Favorite moment: in both movies, it’s when he sees his mom again. It always reminds me of my own incredible love for my mom. How important that love is to recognize (if you’re fortunate enough to have it), and how the holidays often punctuate those feelings to be as big as they should be.
Thoughts?