The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

I know it is only September, but I could not resist watching 2017’s ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ when it appeared on Netflix earlier this week. This comedy/drama follows a young and ambitious Charles Dickens, played by Dan Stevens, as he writes his much-loved Christmas classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Audiences meet the character of Charles Dickens when he is in a very lousy state. Having had his three previous novels poorly received by critics, Dickens has found himself in a place of great financial uncertainty. Against the wishes of his publishers, and those closest to him, Dickens sets out to write a Christmas novel, which he intends to publish himself, in order to restore his finances. However, he only has six weeks till Christmas! As Dickens rushes to complete his novel, audiences observe Dicken’s exciting imagination and brain at work, but also witness the unfolding of Dicken’s troubled and distressing past which undeniably influences and shapes his stories and characters.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Having seen the trailer and, as appealing and amusing as it looked, I expected the film to be a cheesy family comedy with little emotional depth, that would fail at providing audiences with an honest and faithful insight into the life and creative mind of one of history’s most beloved artists and social justice campaigners. However, I was wrong. I found watching ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ a thoroughly enjoyable and rather potent experience. I was surprised by how personal and intimate it is. The film was not about ‘being Charles Dickens’, but is rather about a man struggling to accept his past.

Like any great festive movie, ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’, is full of lots of energy and warmth, which is made possible through the film’s aesthetic and characters. The traditionally dull and dirty streets of Victorian London are nowhere to be seen. The city of London in this film is full of bright, warm colours, and a wonderful sense of community is displayed in the streets. Although this is not necessarily true to the period, it creates a magical atmosphere and contributes to the film’s hopeful and optimistic tone. The characters are also full of life. Dan Steven’s portrayal of Charles Dickens is excellent; full of spirit and vibrancy. Steven’s approach to Dickens is perfect for this particular adaptation of the story; he plays him charming, quirky and slightly bonkers, but this never feels too much or over the top. If anything, Steven’s depiction of Dickens makes the character feel more real and authentic. My favourite scenes with Dan Stevens as Dickens are the scenes where he brainstorms ideas for his novel. When he writes, he actually interacts with his characters; from Scrooge to the ghost of Christmas present. In this film, Dickens spends a great deal of time with Scrooge, played by Christopher Plummer. This is a really interesting take on how a writer’s creative mind works. Additionally, I really loved watching how in writing Scrooge’s journey, Dickens was forced to undertake a huge emotional journey himself. Scrooge is stubborn, arrogant and unforgiving, which makes it incredibly challenging for Dickens to finish the story. The barrier Scrooge presents him with is symbolic of Dicken’s inability to recognise his own truths. The film charts his realisation that only through accepting his own truths can he write about someone else’s.

This festive treat beautifully communicates the timeless message of the importance of displaying generosity and kindness in our everyday lives. A lovely and heart-warming film that can be watched by anyone, any time of the year.