Real Women of Gaming

Christmas stories are so interesting. There are some of the most common themes, moving past the pagan origins to more modern times. To Victorians, and yes as a historian I contend that Victorian times are the more modern times, these were ghost stories. Then morality stories with mystic figures. Love stories became a popular medium next. It feels a bit like there are two versions of Christmas stories at the moment. Happy morality stories for children and love stories for adults. 

There are some that are more of a mix though. A story with a twist and a surprise at Christmas is great. Even if it is a little sad. One might even call it a gift.

Starring Emilia Clarke as Katarina Andrich and Henry Golding as Tom, Last Christmas was released in 2019. It is decently rated online but it doesn’t seem to be a favorite or the big hit that other Christmas movies are. I think it just…doesn’t fit the categories that viewers expect for a Christmas movie. People like being able to sort things into categories. Last Christmas was marketed as a romance but it is more than that. So I think it has been underestimated by viewers. I know I did. 

Kate (Emilia Clarke) is really going through it when the movie opens. After a very scary illness she is adrift. She has burned almost every bridge. Her career cannot seem to get going. She is stuck in a place of fear. However a chance encounter forces her to, legitimately, look at the world around her differently and perhaps find purpose.

Last Christmas is a movie that captures not only the magic of the holidays but also its complexity. Not every year is going to feel jolly. We go into the darkest part of the year with the losses that have come with it. It can be easy to be lost in that. We have all the negative emotions that come with being human. My mom used to tell me that we needed the negative feelings to make us really appreciate the happy ones. I don’t know about that but I do appreciate a holiday movie that shows the struggle to find the light as well. 

This movie was also one of the last big movies released for the holidays before Covid. Maybe it’s just me but I can kind of feel that when I watch it. I feel like most holiday movies now gloss over Covid and just pretend it never happened to try to hold onto the feelings of holidays before. This one has it while still being, well, kind of new. 

Would I recommend Last Christmas? Yes. Yes, I very much would. In fact, it is one of my favorite movies to watch this time of year. 

My first viewing I was unsure how I felt about it for the first fifteen minutes. Then I could see that it was special. If you can stand a protagonist who isn’t the most likeable at first please give this movie, and Kate, a shot. I promise it is worth it. This is a holiday movie that has a great twist and a lot of layers. 

Without spoiling what I can say is that it is a mix of all the things Christmas stories have been, and arguably, should be. Also, if you’re a George Michael fan, you are going to LOVE this soundtrack. So give it a shot.

Have very Happy Holidays, friend!

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!