As someone who has spent more than a few holiday seasons huddled around a screen, seeking solace and joy in the form of festive films, I can confidently say that “Get Santa” is one of those hidden gems that deserves a spot on your annual viewing list.
Many people have their preferred on-screen Santa character. It could be the gruff yet loving Santa portrayed by Ed Asner in 2003’s Elf, or the timeless performance of Edmund Gwenn as Santa in Miracle on 34th Street from 1947. Numerous actors have slipped into the iconic red and white suit. However, one actor seldom comes up in such discussions, even though he played the role twice within just three years.
That actor is Jim Broadbent, one of the most recognizable British character actors who’s lent his jovial sensibility to everything from Bridget Jones’s Diary to the Harry Potter films. Broadbent first took a turn as Santa in vocal form in 2011’s acclaimed animated adventure Arthur Christmas, before getting a chance to don the white beard three years later in 2014’s Get Santa. The film was generally met with good reviews at the time, but has since largely disappeared into the stream of would-be Christmas classics.
Although often underestimated, “Get Santa” offers an enjoyable Christmas adventure that merits another (or even a first) glance. Apart from Jim Broadbent, it boasts an impressive ensemble including Rafe Spall, Warwick Davis, the renowned Jodie Whittaker who once played the Doctor, and Kit Connor, making his film debut and being widely admired on the internet as one of its favorite heartthrobs.
‘Get Santa’s Plot
In the movie “Get Santa”, Connor plays the character Thomas, a young boy who maintains his Christmas spirit as a guiding force amidst complex family circumstances. His father, Steve (Spall), has recently been released from prison following a few years of incarceration for his part in a robbery getaway. He’s now striving to rebuild his life and avoid missing any appointments with his strict parole officer Ruth (Joanna Scanlan). Unfortunately, Steve has distanced himself from Thomas’s mother, Alison (Whittaker), who is now remarried and harbors significant doubts about Steve’s reliability as a parent.
So far, it doesn’t seem like the plot for a Christmas crime caper/adventure movie, does it? However, Santa (Broadbent), or at least a man claiming to be him, turns up at Thomas’s house seeking Steve’s assistance. It appears that Santa’s sleigh has crashed in the forest, and he needs Steve’s help to find his reindeer, which are currently being housed at a local animal shelter. He gets arrested when he attempts to free them from their enclosure, landing himself in the same prison where Steve has just been released. To avoid letting his son down, Steve agrees to assist in breaking Santa out of jail. As the events unfold, he begins to suspect that this man might truly be Santa Claus.
As Steve and Thomas chase a series of hints to save Christmas from disaster, Santa himself struggles to make sense of life behind bars, forging bonds with Steve’s incarcerated pal, the Barber (Stephen Graham). In time, he manages to instill optimism among the inmates in a way only Santa can. Though some characters question his authenticity, the viewers are rarely left guessing: this fellow undeniably embodies the essence of Santa Claus.
Why ‘Get Santa’ Is So Underrated
As a cinephile, I believe one reason “Get Santa” might not have struck a chord with viewers is that its tone feels disjointed. It’s simultaneously a heartfelt drama about a man striving to be the best version of himself for his son, and an eccentric Christmas tale where Santa sports prison braids and reindeer communicate through flatulence. This blend, while unique, seems unusual coming from director Christopher Smith, known for his work on projects like the 2009 sci-fi slasher “Triangle” and the grimdark Medieval film “Black Death” in 2010. Despite its comedic and heartwarming elements, Smith’s signature darkness seeps into the Christmas narrative.
Despite its occasional harshness, “Get Santa” is an enjoyable film that’s worth adding to your collection if you’re looking for something fresh amidst your traditional holiday viewings. Jim Broadbent brings a delightful charm to the role of Santa, exuding warmth and a touch of mischief, all while maintaining an innocent air that sets him apart in the prison setting. His casting feels so fitting that it’s surprising he hasn’t portrayed the character more often. The prison scenes deviate from typical expectations; rather than being hostile towards Santa, the inmates swiftly rally behind him, with Nonso Anozie delivering a heartfelt performance as Sweet Tooth’s leader.
In a relatable and authentic manner, Spall and Connor portray their characters as a convincing father-son duo, maintaining realism even as the storyline grows increasingly absurd towards the end. Smith skillfully crafts the workings of his Christmas universe, be it the flatulent reindeer or the towering structure that serves both as a gateway to the North Pole. This movie demonstrates empathy and inclusion by offering a place for people who are often excluded from traditional Christmas festivities, such as those celebrating during incarceration or seeking redemption outside prison walls.
Despite its imperfections, Get Santa stands out as something rather unique in the Christmas movie genre: a heartwarming festive flick with fresh and innovative concepts. While these ideas don’t always succeed, they certainly make for an engaging and enjoyable holiday viewing experience that warrants a wider recognition.
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2024-12-23 01:31