‘That Christmas’ Review: Fun Voice Cast, But Maybe Skip This Sappy Holiday Flick

Every Christmas, there is a guarantee for a slew of holiday films. Some are merry, offering some holly, jolly good tidings. Some taste like stale gingerbread cookies and would be better found in the trash can. And some are neither transcendent nor bah humbug but are simply okay. This is what we find in the stocking with That Christmas. It is a new Netflix animated film with more sap than a pine tree but still not as vomit-inducing as a fruitcake. Instead, it is a puffy yuletide romp with a stellar voice cast, but it is a better distraction than decoration.

That Christmas takes place in the fictional town of Wellington-on-Sea and follows a set of entwined tales during the most wonderful time of the year. The film stems from Richard Curtis’s children’s book trilogy That Christmas and Other Stories. Curtis is the writer of such beloved classic films as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Notting Hill, and Love Actually. Here, there are fewer hilarities from his comedies. He manages some good tidings of love and joy, but the film finds itself over-stuffed and under-wrapped.

A lot happens in a ninety-minute film that tries to be both joyful and sentimental. The driving force focuses on the lives and Christmases of Danny Williams (Jack Wisniewski), the McNutt Family, and the intersecting presence of the school teacher, Miss Trapper (Fiona Shaw). Oh, and there is Brian Cox’s version of Santa Claus, who pops in on Christmas Eve and provides much of the narration.

As an aside, the voice cast is astounding and does elevate the film. While not enough to make this Christmas tree sparkle, hearing Cox as Santa Claus is a holiday delight. In addition to Cox, Fiona Shaw provides Miss Trapper with a stern warmth and tenderness. And last, there is Bill Nighy as the lighthouse keeper, “Lighthouse Bill”. While a minor role compared to the others, everyone involved delivers decorative performances. This voice cast elevation gives the film an extra weight that might otherwise be missing from the myriad of stories.

In the same vein as Love Actually, but presented more child-centric, the film unveils itself through a series of anecdotes that spotlight each character’s plight and ultimate Christmas wish. Danny Williams wants to have Christmas dinner with his hardworking Mom. The eldest McNutt daughter, Bernadette (India Brown), is trying to shake up the snow globe of Christmas family traditions. Of course, love is in the air with Charlie Beccles (Sienna Sayer) trying to play matchmaker for her twin sister Sam (Zazie Hayhurst). Cue tugs on the heartstrings and sappy Christmas fanfare. 

The books may conceive a strong narrative. Here, the short runtime and many stories and characters leave the audience with little to care for or find enough time to invest. Frankly, an entire film centering on Brian Cox as Santa Claus would have been more than a delight. He also has a hilarious camaraderie with his talking reindeer Dasher (Guz Khan).

Here, we find ourselves zig-zagging from story to story—love, loneliness, togetherness. I’m not saying it cannot be done. Ultimately, things feel too cliche in the expected moments and empty regarding the more compelling storylines. The biggest letdown from this film is the sensation it gives off like, reading through a year-end Christmas letter. It exists because it has to, and we read it for the sake of formality.

The images are bright and poppy, and there are some familiar Christmas tunes, but there are not enough laughs or dramatic beats to keep older audiences engaged. Even kids may find themselves drifting off and thinking of sugar plums rather than staying through to the end.

It is unlikely that this film will become a Christmas classic, let alone a cult one. That Christmas feels more like holiday background noise than a story worth watching with the whole family. Sure, Santa delivers, but you may want something else.