source: Christmas, Again

Ever see the Seinfeld episode where they're pitching their sitcom idea to NBC and they're asked what the series is about? And George goes "nothing". Jerry says "well it's about something" and George returns angrily "no, no, it's about nothing!" That's what I felt like I was watching in this movie. Really, nothing does happen. From start to end. We have no clue what the deal is with the main character, and no idea about the girl. No character building at all. None. Towards the end I looked at my wife and said "wouldn't it be funny if this movie ended right now?". And it did! Instead of being pissed off that we wasted 90 minutes of our evening, we both cracked up laughing. I should say that it wasn't difficult to watch. There was a sense of realism as opposed to acting. It just could have been such a fantastic movie with some character building. But still.... nothing happens.

The storytelling and direction seemed a bit clumsy, and somewhat amateurish. However, the main character was very believable, and I felt like I was seeing a real person, not an actor. But we never find out much at all about his background, or why or how he lost his former relationship. And the story never really develops much until late in the movie. We also never learn anything about Lydia's background, either, other than that she lives with some guy she isn't well-suited for.

This film definitely wasn't festive but instead a pointed slice of reality. It was a bit boring and very depressing, and definitely low budget. It isn't a bad film, just be prepared for not a lot to happen. It was really just a snapshot of a guy who is for the most part by himself selling Christmas trees on the streets of New York City for the last few weeks leading up to Christmas morning. We learn that he was lamenting a very hard breakup of a past serious relationship. He meets a girl, who also seems to have a ton of problems of her own. His life is boring, mundane, and seeming at the moment, painful. As I pondered the movie, it became clear that the writer and producer wanted us to realize that Christmas is not wonderful and magical for many. It is a time that seems to highlight and magnify how lonely and miserable some people can be. Christmas can really stink for some...if Christmas comes or not, you are still broke, you are still lonely, the sting of that breakup or a struggling marriage is still real, your cancer is still there, your emotional struggles did not leave... The point is...people are broken regardless if we have a December 25th this year or not.

Towards the end it has a very few moments that make you start to think, this is a good story. But the rest of it is just the viewer watching a pretty decent guy do his job in pretty normal circumstances.

It certainly doesn't hurt that Kentucker is easy on the eyes. There were more than a few moments of enchantment, wherein I really came to appreciate those lingering camera close ups. (Great film work.) Add to that his effortless acting talent and you're in for a penny, in for a pound. Honestly, he just sucks you right into his wretchedness and makes you keep hoping and hoping something will come along to snap him out of it. New York City in winter. Ugh. His tree lot sidekicks play their carefree, happily insensitive to his pain roles to perfection. A couple times I got really annoyed with them. That's great writing/great acting. The whole thing was slow, but so what? Another reviewer said s/he was on the edge of his/her seat. I wouldn't take it that far, but it was fun to wait and see what was going to happen next. The only thing I didn't quite get was the part with the Advent Calendar. Did he have it stocked with uppers or downers? Guess I'll never know. Me, I am not a fan of cut trees or Christmas or any of that. I gave it all up years ago. (Ever the trendsetter.) But this film had me leaning in to sniff the Balsam and longing to feel those poor trees stiff little needles. You may or may not like this movie. If you like great acting and subtlety and some truly unexpected twists and turns here and there, you'll probably enjoy this as much as I did.

This movie is so tense and atmospheric Oh my God I cannot believe how good it is

This deserves to get much more attention than it has gotten. Well worth the watch (and I can't say that of many modern movies)

The reviews I've read reminded me of a couple of things. While working at a national retail chain I would read books on my breaks in the break room. I was reading a biography and when I told a fellow worker what I was reading she said, "You read non fiction, isn't it boring". Well, it is not. This film is very much like a documentary but it is not and that seems to me that why it is so brilliant. John Lennon once was asked what he thought of people who wrote bad reviews of Beatles music. As I recall, his answer was something like, "I'm just bloody well sorry they don't get it". Watch it and you be the judge...I really hope you "get it". It is a brilliant film and I'll certainly recommend it to people who grow tired of "cookie cutter" Christmas movies.

Where do I begin?! This movie transformed my life. It really did. I'm not one for much dialogue so this movie had an AMAZINGLY impressive amount of silence! Why can't all movies be like this? It's been 5 years since I last watched it but it comes to mind quite frequently and brings me peace when I do yoga.