THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES. Optimism-brimming Christmas Movie

The popular myth of Santa Claus, while exciting for children, also carries a certain bitterness. A sign of maturity seems to be the rejection of illusion and the understanding of how the mechanics of gift-giving really work. No force can suppress the feeling of disappointment that remains in a child when Santa Claus is placed on the same shelf as fairy-tale characters. One would like to believe forever that, no matter what, one day a year is filled with magic. While watching The Christmas Chronicles, I felt old.

Not because I had to remind myself how long ago I wrote my first letter to Santa Claus and what emotions accompanied it. I felt old because seeing Kurt Russell—one of the idols of my youth—in a red suit with a white beard made me realize that he is already at an age that predisposes him to this kind of role. There is nothing strange about that, of course, but it brings with it the unpleasant realization of time’s mercilessness. With me standing right at the center of that time. Fortunately, this was the only sad conclusion that came to me while watching this optimism-brimming Christmas movie.

I would like to emphasize that the filmmakers managed to infect me with that optimism, even though they did not have an easy task. In life I am characterized by moderate bitterness and skepticism, which is why I do not particularly enjoy frivolous and naïve family cinema. In my view, it is just as untrue as, for example, horror. Both genres are two sides of the same coin. When one side draws attention to how unrealistically huge the eyes of fear are, the other softens the situation, encouraging us to laugh in the face of fate like a fool at a block of cheese. Only one of these radicalisms amuses me.

As it turns out, however, from time to time good family cinema can be a very refreshing experience. It stands as a counterpoint to the growing defeatism present in information channels. Family films then act like the sun finally winning its duel with the night during the winter solstice, giving people a ray of hope—a ray they so desperately need, especially during the celebration of Christmas.

The Christmas Chronicles is a very competently directed film. This should come as no surprise. On the payroll one can find the name of Chris Columbus, a specialist in family cinema who oversaw the whole project as a producer. The directing, in turn, was handled by Clay Kaytis—a filmmaker whom probably no one but me noticed when he delivered his feature-length debut, The Angry Birds Movie, which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Still, I have the impression that what ultimately speaks for the quality of The Christmas Chronicles stems from two factors. First, the creators did not forcefully overcomplicate the plot and decided to tell a simple, yet magical story, supported by necessary universals.

In the story of siblings who get the chance to meet Santa Claus and go on an adventure with him, the most important element is the thread of a prematurely lost relationship with their father. Once again, addressing this issue lends the film depth.

The action is brisk enough that even if we encounter whimsical elements—such as the introduction of computer-generated elves—they are unable to distract us. The second quality factor is connected to the conception of Santa Claus as a character, which (most likely) was proposed by the screenwriter and which Russell turned into pure gold. The actor brings so much charisma and positive energy to the role that he could easily bestow them upon the entire world—just as his character does with gifts. I admire him for this performance also because—just as I suggested earlier—it is the result of distancing himself from his well-established image.

Russell clearly mocks it, poking fun every other line at our habits and at the fact that once we imagine how something should look, no force can make us see it differently.

This is also a reference to the sadness felt by the protagonists—a sadness that hangs before their eyes and blinds them to a heartening truth. The truth that miracles, though small, do happen in life.