Opinion: if you're sick and tired of the same old Christmas films, here are five alternative films to go with the mince pies
By Declan McKenna, Ulster
We all love settling down to watch our favourite Christmas films at this time of year. But (whisper it) what if you would actually like to discover some lesser known festive films? Well, here are five to get you started.
The Thin Man (1934)
Married couple Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) arrive in New York for the Christmas holidays, but soon find their talents as amateur detectives are required to investigate a missing person case. A witty, satisfyingly plotted and hugely entertaining caper ensues. Even their comedy dog (played by superstar Hollywood pooch Skippy) is actually funny. Think Hart to Hart, only good.
It's the brilliant chemistry between Powell and Loy that elevates the film to something a bit special, as they flirt by cheerfully insulting each other, sink an alarming number of cocktails throughout, and never miss a chance for a good old innuendo. They made a total of six Thin Man films together and you'll go a long way to find a modern screen couple with the same effortless charm and appeal. If you consider yourself in a sexy, sophisticated relationship, and intend to spend Christmas in a mildly alcoholic haze, this is the film for you.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Christmas cheer and seasonal scares have been spliced together in many films, but few are as delightfully warped and original as this Finnish horror-comedy. Set in Lapland and inspired by folk-tales from Finland, it imagines a very different sort of Santa Claus who is more likely to eat children than treat them. Definitely not for kids, then, but it will appeal to anyone who likes their action and gore served with smart writing and a healthy dose of black humour. A few good jump-scares ensures this is perfect fare if you want an excuse to cling tight to someone this Christmas.
Tangerine (2015)
Not too many Christmas films start with a transgender sex worker setting off to get revenge on her cheating pimp boyfriend. Nevertheless, this terrific low-budget comedy-drama, set on the seedy streets of LA on Christmas Eve and filmed entirely with iPhones, still manages to capture the spirit of Christmas. The secret of its success lies in how it engages us in the messy, risky lives of the central protagonists, inviting us to empathise with, rather than ridicule, these vibrant characters.
Given its content and frank dialogue, some might find it a bit unsuitable for 'family-friendly' viewing. But, on the other hand, the film shows that family and friendship can take on many forms. And when better to celebrate that than Christmas time?
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
It's interesting to get a non-Christian point of view on Christmas and this charming Japanese animation provides just that. On Christmas Eve, three homeless people living rough on the streets of Tokyo find an abandoned baby and set out on a quest to find the infant’s parents. The distinctive animation features the central cartoonish characters against more realistic backgrounds, a style deliberately chosen to reflect the contrast of real and surreal elements in the movie.
It’s this delicate balance of light and dark themes in the story that gives it real impact as we learn more about the circumstances that brought the trio together, and why they are collectively invested in the baby’s fate. If you feel the magic of Christmas has been somewhat lost, this may well restore it by the end.
Big Business (1929)
Can't be bothered sitting down to watch a whole film? Then try one of Laurel and Hardy's best short films. Here, the beloved pair are selling Christmas trees door-to-door on a sunny Californian estate. But when one grumpy customer refuses to buy one, things escalate quite magnificently into all-out destructive chaos.
It’s a perfect platform for Ollie Hardy's exasperated looks-to-camera, Stan Laurel’s hysterical sobbing and the duo’s comic genius for pure, unadulterated slapstick. Do yourself a favour, gather round the kids from one to ninety-two and laugh your troubles away. Twenty minutes long, but actually timeless.
Prof Declan McKenna is Associate Head of School of Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
