Review of A Christmas Story (1983) by Mark K — 11 Nov 2010

The high-water mark of Christmas comedies, you'd have to be a real Scrooge not to find something funny, or at least be able to smile, at A Christmas Story. It's a nostalgic piece that rapidly becoming nostalgic itself, and draws on the slowly fading memories of a quieter, simpler time. Kids remained kids until their teens, and Santa was just beginning to be a vehicle to 'sell Christmas'. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, or ever lived in suburban Ohio in the late 1940's, you'll appreciate the warm humor brought to the screen. It's witty and smart, and broadly played after the manner of the best comedy films.

You know the story: Kids and parents and the meaning of Christmas through a child's eyes. The acting is pitch-perfect for a comedy of this type, both adults and kids slide easily into the era and the roles. You almost feel you know these people from somewhere. The narration by Jean Shepherd works perfectly as Ralphie all grown up. The scenarios are right out of the best playbook for classic comedy, and it features some of the best scenarios of a child's Christmas you're ever likely to find. It also effortlessly propels some real heart and Christmas spirit into your living room: It sneaks up on you during the film while it makes you laugh. That's the real magic: This movie really understands how people really are. They get excited over weird things, and make ridiculous ceremonies out of trivial things in their lives, like changing tires. The kids visit to Santa is simply the best scene of its type you're likely to see in a Christmas film, and its startlingly close to the truth. That's the other magical part of this film, the humor is played just over the line of absurd, but it 'could' have happened.

My own childhood was years after this period, but it was still a simpler era. I could bond perfectly with what was going on in A Christmas Story. I had similar greedy present wishes. I had colorful school experiences, and gosh, we did go out to Chinese food on Christmas once, in very similar circumstances! One warning: You have to swallow this apple whole, and set aside your biases of crass comedy. Some, I suppose will have trouble doing that in this era of broken homes, The Internet, and instant gratification of our desires. But I would say pause for a while. These images you see in A Christmas Story may seem cliché, but they were once very true to life.

To conclude, it's a great film: When you watch this film, you will be home for Christmas, wherever you are.