Richard Curtis, known for romantic comedies like Love Actually and Notting Hill, has ventured into animation with his latest film, That Christmas, set to release on Netflix on December 4th. Based on his 2021 book of short stories, the film marks Curtis’s first animated project and represents a shift from his previous work focused on romance to storytelling about families and children.
Set in the fictional coastal town of Wellington-on-Sea, the movie follows several families whose Christmas plans are disrupted when a blizzard separates parents from their children. This unexpected scenario allows the children to create their own version of Christmas, diverging from traditional parental expectations.
Swiss director Simon Otto, previously involved with animations like How to Train Your Dragon, was drawn to the film’s theme of imperfect holiday experiences. He believes that the most memorable Christmas moments are often those where plans go awry, highlighting the importance of being together.
The 90-minute animated film features voices from Curtis’s regular collaborators, including Bill Nighy, and other notable actors like Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, and Brian Cox as Santa Claus.
The film has received generally positive reviews from critics. The Hollywood Reporter praised its ability to avoid typical holiday movie sentimentality, while noting its grounding in genuine emotions. Other reviewers suggested it’s a perfect distraction for children during the holiday season.
One notable aspect of the film is its contemporary and diverse representation. Curtis acknowledges the conscious effort to make the movie feel current, reflecting modern family dynamics and social concerns. The film features a mixed-race family, children concerned about climate change, and modern elements like smartphone usage and current pop music.
The movie also includes a playful meta-moment where the children dismiss Love Actually as boring, a joke inserted by Otto without Curtis’s initial knowledge. This scene humorously highlights the generational gap in perceiving classic Christmas films.
Otto and Curtis both emphasize the importance of balancing traditions with openness to new experiences. They believe some traditions are valuable, but families should also be willing to adapt and create new memories.
The film arrives during a strong year for animation, though the genre still faces some critical snobbery. Only three animated films have ever been nominated for Best Picture at major awards. Directors like Guillermo del Toro have championed animation as a serious artistic medium, a sentiment Curtis strongly supports.
Curtis is particularly enthusiastic about animation, citing the Spider-Verse movies as remarkable achievements and arguing that every genre has the potential for greatness. For him, this project represents an exciting exploration of storytelling through a new medium.
That Christmas promises to be a modern, heartwarming take on holiday storytelling, blending humor, emotion, and contemporary sensibilities.
