So this is Christmas – Film Review
by Frank L.

Director – Ken Wardrop

Wardrop’s previous films which include His and Hers (2010), Mom and Me (2016), and Making the Grade (2018), are characterised by his insightful observations of individuals as they negotiate everyday situations. Here he observes primarily five individuals as they face the challenges that Christmas poses. The individuals are quite varied. We meet a young single mother of three children, a middle-aged single woman who has an anorexic past, a bachelor in his late thirties or early forties, a woman of mature years who lives alone and a young widower with two small sons who face their first Christmas without her. The introduction states that it takes place somewhere in Ireland but the cinematography indicates a Midland town and its immediate hinterland.

Wardrop allows each individual to express their fears and hopes. To a greater or lesser extent, money is an issue, particularly for the young mother but she delights in her children who are a source of joy to her. Similarly, the young widower finds great solace in his two boys notwithstanding his palpable grief. The other three do not have the support of children. The mature woman describes her emotions accurately when she states loneliness is one thing but being ignored is another. It is sobering to be reminded by the woman with an anorexic past of the horror of sitting down to a gargantuan Christmas dinner. The bachelor finds his refuge by walking to a local friendly pub. Wardrop shows the bravery of each of these individuals as they handle their own sense of being alone for Christmas.

The cinematography is excellent as the camera scans each personality in their home. The interior of their homes brings more information about each as an individual. The town’s shop fronts and their contents give a further insight into the ambience of the area in which each of these five people live. There are references to others, but these five individuals make up the core of the film.

Once again Wardrop brings into sharp relief the lives of ordinary people. In this case, it is individuals who are to a greater or lesser extent lonely as they face the challenges that the festive season brings. His profound respect for each is patent as he lovingly portrays them. Each one shows fortitude differently. Each one is to be celebrated and that is what Wardrop does.

In the hubbub of Christmas time, this poignant film shows the difficulties that it represents for many people. Wardrop is not seduced by the lure of the commercial razmataz.  It is entirely appropriate that it is being released as the Christmas merriment begins to gather pace. This finely observed and executed film provides a valuable insight into the difficulties that merriment generates for so many people.