On seeing the title, I had 2nd thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I'm not particularly against Xmas. Although I do recall finding this strange when I was a kid growing up. And Yes I didn't come to N.American until 11 yrs. old but was definitely exposed to this - via evangelical Christian's version. So when Xmas WAS full blown for the first time in a strange land... it was 2ndary to the new country ?!?!?!
In the middle of this film when the mush happens to a doctor and he called his wife to say ILU, that was the point I thought this is not quiet the same. Yes this may well be the most accessible Hamer film. But at that point, my response to that scene speaks something about me too.
The redemption for me is for what, for Bent's (or my opinion of) an unusually different opening and closing sequence. The bookends sums it up, brought the whole thing together, and I was relieved. He has made another understated gem. And I thought this film should have been called Life is Beautiful.. but someone's already used it.
The thing I have to mention is the there are many strands here. And the film is partly based on a series of short stories. The details are incredible - like there's Xmas tree in every story.
I wasn't sure about the wide shot of the highway. But the light play of the various intervals of light and dark is interesting. Like the different ups and down of the many involved stories ???
The strangers you meet in the film, it is as if you meet them yourself - but though different eyes. Eyes of other strangers, their loved ones, their new friends.
And I thought I wouldn't have like this.
In the middle of this film when the mush happens to a doctor and he called his wife to say ILU, that was the point I thought this is not quiet the same. Yes this may well be the most accessible Hamer film. But at that point, my response to that scene speaks something about me too.
The redemption for me is for what, for Bent's (or my opinion of) an unusually different opening and closing sequence. The bookends sums it up, brought the whole thing together, and I was relieved. He has made another understated gem. And I thought this film should have been called Life is Beautiful.. but someone's already used it.
The thing I have to mention is the there are many strands here. And the film is partly based on a series of short stories. The details are incredible - like there's Xmas tree in every story.
I wasn't sure about the wide shot of the highway. But the light play of the various intervals of light and dark is interesting. Like the different ups and down of the many involved stories ???
The strangers you meet in the film, it is as if you meet them yourself - but though different eyes. Eyes of other strangers, their loved ones, their new friends.
And I thought I wouldn't have like this.