The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

I've always been a believer in the secular Christmas, and much of what we think of in that regard is tied to ideas popularized by A Christmas Carol. The Man Who Invented Christmas starts with the premise that in the English world a minor holiday was elevated to a premiere annual event by putting a focus on charity, love, and challenging the capitalist ideals which were sacrificing so many.  There is an argument that stories like A Christmas Carol, and later popular narratives of a similar vein (The Grinch for example), have a subversive, resistance aspect to them, as does the celebration of Christmas in itself.

But it turns out the film isn't as interested in that discussion. It wants to tell a different story, a more personal one.

The thesis here, in this film which treats itself as a comedy first and foremost, is that A Christmas Carol is an examination of the good and bad in all of us, and potentially an attempt at personal redemption. According to The Man Who Invented Christmas, Scrooge is Dickens himself and it's his journey through his anger and hate that is being represented. And by extension Scrooge is all of us and Christmas is our calling to be better.

It's a good argument and the film, in all its cheery, self depricating humour, makes a good go of it. However the film drags on a little to long to maintain its cheer. There is a lot of Dickens sitting around and Stevens scowling. I was getting tired of the shtick by the end. There just isn't quite enough story here to justify its run time. And while generally charming, the characters and dialogue aren't quite as engaging as the film needs them to be.

So while the idea is an interesting one and the film is generally entertaining, overall it leaves a little wanting, not quite as magical as the story it is based on. The Man Who Invented Christmas isn't a waste of time but not nearly what I had hoped it would be.

The Man Who Invented Christmas
Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Writer: Susan Coyne