A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS

UK, 2021, 106 minutes, Colour.

Maggie Smith, Henry Lawfull, Michiel Huismann, Jim Broadbent, Sally Perkins, Joel Fry, Kristin Wiig, Toby Jones, voice of: Stephen Merchant.

Directed by Gil Kenan.

This is a British Christmas entertainment, for the younger audiences, but with something of a classic British cast, parents and grandparents may well enjoy watching it with the children.

Here we have a different take on some Christmas origins. The perspective is that of elves, reindeers, presents and centre, rather than the Bethlehem-origins story (no mention of this). And, even St Nicholas might not be pleased with this film as it offers quite an alternative to his story, the Bishop who kindly provided gifts and allowed his name to be transferred from St Nicholas to Santa Claus!

So, this is an alert to those who might want to see something of an acknowledgement of what Christmas really is rather than just the story of elves and gifts.

A film with Maggie Smith in its opening sequence certainly commands attention. No refugee from Downton Abbey here. Off she trudges in snowclad London streets, Aunt Ruth, to babysit three children and tell them stories. They are a bit grumpy, something of a captive audience – but we are willing to listen to her. And, of course, they will too!

She tells a story of Lapland, a remote town, a father who works with his son, Nick, (Harry Lawfull). There are some cantankerous types in the town but the King comes out (Jim Broadbent) to urge everyone to hope. When his father goes north and is not heard of, Nick decides to go to search for him.

So, he sets out to find his father, accompanied by a reindeer, Blitzen, and his pet mouse, Miika whom he trains to talk (with the voice of Stephen Merchant!). He does discover Elfland, many friendly, but controlled by an almost-witch -like character, Mother Vodol, played intensely by Sally Perkins. There are some friendly elves, especially Toby Jones, and some of the children. As Nick goes on his quest to find his father, he discovers some sinister doings, especially the kidnapping of a little elf, confined to a cage.

All kinds of adventures, Nick’s father and his love for his son, rescuing the kidnapped elf, the return to Elfland, Nick put on trial, but his bringing back the little elf and a wonderful transformation. The elves are back to work making plenty of toys, Nick taking a bag full, returning to the King, ho-ho, joins with Nick and Blitzen to do the Christmas tour and a happy distributing of gifts. And there is a curious comic cameo by Kristin Wiig as the grumpy Aunt Carlotta who is a partial for chocolates, especially those we see made in Elf land.

So here we are, a Lapland alternative to North pole stories (though they are much the same), an opportunity to listen to Maggie Smith telling the story (and noticing her ears as she puts on her hat and goes on her way)!

1. A Christmas story? A variation on the St Nicholas, Santa Claus story?
2. The opening in London, the children, their father and his work, Aunt Ruth arriving, their dislike of her, but her telling the story, getting them interested, the development of the story? Maggie Smith as Aunt Ruth?
3. The forests, Lapland, the town, Nicholas and his father, Joel, the death of his mother? Unhappiness? The king and his speech, urging his subjects to find some hope? Inspiring Nicholas, his dreams of elfland and the later revelation about his mother? Joel going off to search for elfland, the band of hunters? Nicholas left in the care of the greedy Aunt Carlotta?
4. Nicholas, the mouse, teaching it to speak? His decision to go on the expedition to find his father? Their encounter with the deer, Blitzen?
5. Coming to Elfland, nobody there, Nicholas being taken, Father Topo, the harshness? Nicholas rescued by the little girl? Continuing on his mission, finding the hunters, finding his father one of the hunters, disappointment? His father’s change of heart, taking off with Blitzen, the weight, the father sacrificing himself? Rescuing the boy from elfland?
6. The return to Elfland, the trial, Father Topo, Nicholas taken, the return of the boy? The change of heart in Elfland?
7. The tradition of making toys, all the elves going into production, the preparations, the decision to deliver the toys, Nicholas and Blitzen?
8. His return home, Aunt Carlotta pacified by the chocolates, going to see the King, the king wary, delighted with the news, the toys, wearing the red suit, going with Blitzen, travelling to all the houses, the chimneys or getting in the door, delivering the presents?
9. An enjoyable Christmas story for younger audiences, older audiences delighting in Maggie Smith – and the finale with the glimpse of her elves’ ears?