That Christmas Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A town gets snowed in, and Santa has a mid-life crisis about whether kids are naughty or nice, while some kids try to have a ‘modern’ Christmas which involves… turkeys?

🍿 That Christmas: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Snowy Christmas Eve in Wellington-on-Sea

The film opens in the charming seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea, as Christmas Eve approaches. The townsfolk are preparing for the holiday, unaware that a historic snowstorm is about to disrupt their plans. Several interconnected storylines begin to unfold, introducing a variety of characters.

Danny’s Christmas Wish

One storyline follows Danny, a boy hoping to connect with his crush, Sam. His father is unable to visit due to the snowstorm, leaving him feeling lonely, especially as his mom works during Christmas. Danny hopes to win her over, but lacks confidence in social situations.

The Twins and the Nativity Play

Another plot involves twins, Charlie and Alex, one of whom is often labeled as ‘naughty.’ The nativity play at their school is the backdrop for some lighthearted holiday mishaps. The play is slightly altered to fit a modern message, which proves divisive. The ‘naughty’ twin attempts to redeem herself.

Parents Stranded by the Storm

A group of parents find themselves stranded by the intensifying snowstorm, unable to return home to their children. The kids, led by a resourceful young girl, decide to make the most of the situation and celebrate Christmas their own way. This storyline involves a discussion about traditions.

Santa’s Snowy Challenge

Meanwhile, Santa Claus faces his own challenges as the storm makes delivering presents exceptionally difficult. He struggles to navigate the weather, encountering various obstacles along the way, with the help of his reindeer Dasher. This adds a touch of classic Christmas magic.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Santa (Brian Cox): A Santa Claus who faces challenges delivering presents during a severe snowstorm, altering the plans for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea.
• Danny (Jack Wisniewski): A new boy navigating divorced parents and a crush on Sam, facing potential loneliness on Christmas due to the snowstorm.
• Sam (Zazie Hayhurst): Danny’s crush who is one of the twins.
• Charlie (Sienna Sayer): One of the twins and the naughty twin.
• Ms. Trapper (Fiona Shaw): A strict teacher at the local school who has more depth than initially perceived.
• Lighthouse Bill (Bill Nighy): An old lighthouse keeper who cares about his traditions in Wellington-on-Sea.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bernadette: “Strap in, shape up and gird those loins for the Three wise WOMEN.” – During the Nativity play.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 That Christmas Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie. The animation style is cute, and the British humor is definitely there, but something felt off. The movie tries to juggle too many storylines, and none of them really landed with me. The scene with the lighthouse Bill was touching, but the rest felt a bit…meh. It’s a decent one-time watch for some holiday cheer, but not one I’ll be adding to my annual Christmas movie marathon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a new Christmas movie to watch together”
  • “Fans of animated holiday films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate heartwarming and feel-good stories”
  • “Viewers looking for British humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements involving family separation”
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Potentially controversial modern interpretations of Christmas traditions”
  • “Divisive messages”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb Critic: “Charming animation and a feel-good vibe make ‘That Christmas’ a decent holiday flick, but the overcrowded storylines and preachy moments can feel a bit forced. It’s like a Christmas sweater your grandma knitted – warm, but slightly itchy.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While ‘That Christmas’ offers a visually appealing experience, its attempts to modernize holiday themes feel heavy-handed. The voice acting is strong, but the story lacks the timeless charm of other Christmas classics. A decent watch, but not a must-see.

Audience Reactions

The animation style was great!: Many viewers praised the animation for its charming and cozy aesthetic, making it visually appealing for all ages.

It was a warm and cozy movie: A general consensus that despite flaws, there was still some sort of heart

Overall Consensus: While visually appealing and featuring a star-studded cast, ‘That Christmas’ suffers from an overstuffed plot and mixed messages, making it a decent but not exceptional holiday film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “”That Christmas” is based on a series of children’s books by Richard Curtis, the writer behind “Love Actually” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral.””
• “The film is co-produced by Locksmith Animation, known for their work on “Ron’s Gone Wrong.””
• “The film features the voice talents of Bill Nighy, Brian Cox and Jodie Whittaker.”

🖥️ How to Watch That Christmas?

That Christmas is currently streaming on Netflix. Check your local Netflix availability. Unfortunately, it’s not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed That Christmas, you might like these similar films:

• Klaus (2019): Both are animated Christmas films with heart and strong emotional themes, offering a fresh take on holiday traditions.
• Love Actually (2003): Also written by Richard Curtis, shares a similar ensemble cast and intertwined storylines set during the Christmas season, exploring themes of love and connection.
• Arthur Christmas (2011): Another animated Christmas film with a British sensibility, focusing on the logistical challenges of Santa’s operation and family dynamics during the holidays.

🛒 That Christmas Related Products

• That Christmas: The Complete Collection: A charming collection of Richard Curtis’ children’s books that inspired the movie, perfect for reading aloud during the holidays.
• Reindeer Plush Toy Set: A set of plush reindeer toys, based on the characters from the movie, including Dasher voiced by Guz Khan. These high-quality plushies are perfect for fans of the film.
• Christmas Village Set: The Wellington-on-Sea town is re-created in miniature, bringing Christmas to life! The set is handmade and only 2500 will be created.

🎧 Soundtrack

That Christmas features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Thin Ice” – performed by Rhian Sheehan
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – performed by Darlene Love

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ed Sheeran – Under the Tree (from “That Christmas”)

Obsessed with ‘That Christmas’ and its heartwarming vibes? You HAVE to check out Ed Sheeran’s ‘Under the Tree’ music video – it perfectly captures the movie’s spirit. Plus, Ed’s music is always a win!

✨ Rate