Paul Feig, creator of “Freaks and Geeks” and director of films like “Bridesmaids” and “Spy” brings the first true holiday film of 2019 with “Last Christmas”. It is the story of Kate (the Mother of Dragons herself, Emilia Clarke), a woman still working in the Christmas-themed shop that she has been at for years, working for Santa (Michelle Yeoh), whose name alone lets everyone know how much she loves the holidays. Kate is doing what she can to avoid her family and friends (Lydia Leonard, Emma Thompson <who also co-wrote the script with her husband Greg Wise>, and Boris Isakovic), which leads her to a life of isolation. With an infinity for the music of George Michael, Kate continues trying to achieve what she wants out of life while still believing the universe is against her. After she sees a man named Tom (Henry Golding of “Crazy Rich Asians”) outside the shop and decides to go speak to him, their friendship is exactly what she needs to get back on track with her life.
With the soundtrack based on music from George Michael and Wham!, there are some earworms that stayed with me for a while afterwards. (Primarily “Last Christmas,” and if you play “Wham!ageddon,” this is a way to get it out of the way before the holidays are in full swing.) Add to this the setting of London in all its yuletide glory, and all of the holiday spirit is there!
Those that are looking for this to be the start of a resurgence of the romantic comedy genre in the vein of “When Harry Met Sally”, “Pretty Woman”, and “Notting Hill” could leave disappointed. For me, I went into “Last Christmas” to find my holiday spirit and left with a smile on my face having enjoyed myself for an hour and forty-five minutes. The audience was mostly engaged and moments of laughter and singing along took place, so kick your holidays into high gear with this one!