"Lost Christmas" - Review
15 Dec 2011
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Watch the BBC Trailer
There are some films that you just have to watch at Christmas; It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol (especially if it's the Muppets), Gremlins... And now a new film commissioned by CBBC, Lost Christmas (starring the fantastic Eddie Izzard), looks set to join this pantheon of all-time Christmas classics. After the preview screening of this tragic and heart-warming urban fairytale at the British Film Institute, there were very few dry eyes left in the audience!
Set in Manchester on Christmas Eve, a mysterious and enigmatic man, Anthony (Eddie Izzard), suddenly appears on the streets with no recollection of who he is or why he's there - all he knows is a series of bizarre facts and that he has an uncanny ability to find the lost. With his unique ability, Anthony transforms the lives of five people whose lives have been shattered by the decisions of their past...
Superbly written by John Hay, David Logan, and Izzard, Lost Christmas is a tale of great personal tragedy over the Christmas period. It shows how the simplest of actions can completely change your life and the lives of those around you, and that bad things can happen, but also that sometimes miracles can happen and you may just get a second chance. Even though it has been billed as a children’s film, Lost Christmas is a film for all the family, and deals with some rather heavy concepts which will be more accessible to the maturer audiences. As Eddie Izzard said at the Q&A, “I think it’s actually timeless. I don’t see it as a kids’ thing, I see it as a family film. I think you’ve got to be a teenager really to grab hold of where we’re going with some of the loss.”
It is an incredibly touching story, told mainly through the experiences of Goose (Larry Mills), a young boy with a tragic back-story, who encounters the ethereal Anthony. Together, they meet people from all walks of life, each with their own personal tragedy, but all unknowingly linked by the events of last Christmas. As heartwarming as it is deeply tragic, Lost Christmas certainly takes you on a profound and emotional journey - even I, as stoical as I am, found myself moved by this film! By the time the end credits had rolled, there were a fair few teary eyes in the auditorium.
Eddie Izzard provides a truly phenomenal performance as a seemingly non-human enigma, filled with facts and understanding, but no idea about his own life. He superbly captured the essence of a mysterious and ethereal being, carrying a strange sense of detachment and fore-knowledge throughout. Izzard’s dramatic style is a far cry from from his usual on-stage joviality, and another great addition to his growing repertoire of performances outside of his global acclaim as a stand-up comedian. With such a fantastic cast (including Jason Flemyng, Sorcha Cusack, Geoffrey Palmer and first-time actor Larry Mills), the film’s range of characters felt fully realised and fleshed-out, really drawing you into their own personal stories and how they tie-in in the grand scheme of things.
Although this film has been commissioned by CBBC and stars the unparalleled comedian-come-actor Eddie Izzard, don't be fooled into thinking it'll be a light-hearted Christmas jaunt. It will take you from crying tears of sadness to tears of joy - either way, keep the box of tissues to hand! There are also some scenes that may be quite unsettling for younger audiences pretty much from the outset, so parental discretion is almost certainly advised. There is a happy ending, but it takes a good 90 minutes of tragedy, heart-ache, loss and redemption before you get there!
That being said, though, it is still what I'd class as a 'feel-good' film. In spite of all these traumatic experiences, the story manages to leave you with a warm feeling in the end, and has a very “Christmassy” feel to it. It’s certainly not to be missed!
Lost Christmas will air on BBC One on 18th December, 5.30pm. It will also be shown on CBBC on Christmas Eve at the same time with some edits for language and content.
Original Source - Step2InspireTV
Comments
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(showing 18 comments)
claywoman
Eddie please have the BBC make this film available to the USA audience and the rest of the world! We all need some Christmas magic and faith in our fellow man.
15 Dec 2011 - 17:12 GMT
Ooopsies !
Oh yes.....PLEASE. we feel deprived, not being able to see this in the US. You know you have some of the best fans here in America, sounds as though you have done some of your best work in this movie.
16 Dec 2011 - 01:46 GMT
Novelist65
I second the comment of claywoman below, I could use something to feel good about this Christmas here in the US and this film looks like just the thing! That would be my Christmas wish.
16 Dec 2011 - 21:53 GMT
whistl
I sure hope BBC America gets a chance to show this. The trailer is fascinating. I'm a big Eddie Izzard fan, and am looking forward to this!
17 Dec 2011 - 13:27 GMT
Moley
Watched Lost Christmas this evening with my family and we were all enthralled. Marvellous acting by all the cast and very moving. Good job Eddie wonderful performance, as usual
18 Dec 2011 - 21:05 GMT
yoginileeds
Brilliant, wonderful best Christmas drama I have seen for ages. Liz
18 Dec 2011 - 21:44 GMT
George
Watched this last night, and it was so good it propmpted me to register and tell you! Superbly acted and filmed,it somehow transformed from dark tragedy into something more magical and uplifiting. - Best TV drama I've seen for some time. Well done!
19 Dec 2011 - 16:33 GMT
Binny Blake
I sat watching this transfixed at all the cast performance in this amazing piece however Eddies portrayal of Anthony was inspired. It was so much more than playing the part beautifully and delivering the lines. It was the way that the you become him, small gestures and facial expressions, stunning. The story took us on a haunting, funny and journey. Thank you
20 Dec 2011 - 10:36 GMT
rachlat
A fantastically written and beautifully acted drama. I was drawn in and loved it. What a fabulous piece of modern day Christmas magic. Thanks xx
21 Dec 2011 - 17:15 GMT
SwtMistressS
Was anyone able to see it in the US? is it available for purchase?
27 Dec 2011 - 19:18 GMT
ktw
Where/How can I watch this movie in the US? Is it possible yet? I have been searching and have found website that defy pop-up block and don't even have the movie.
27 Dec 2011 - 19:51 GMT
sara parker
After seeing the trailer for "Lost Christmas", I feel the need to watch the entire show. It would be so awesome to have it available here in the US as well, I like films that are made across the pond and elsewhere way more than I do the american ones. They usually have more to say...
14 Mar 2012 - 23:08 GMT
Pogs
I don't watch much TV but loved the Lost Christmas and thought it was the best film ontv for a very long time. Thoroughly enjoyed Eddies Treasure Island as well, so check that out.
15 Mar 2012 - 12:00 GMT
aurora606
This must come out on DVD. I have it saved on my Sky+ and have watched it loads. Very clever story, made me want to cry.Brilliant twist at the end. Eddie looks so gorgeous too! PLEASE release it on DVD so our American friends can see your incredible talent and gorgeousness Eddie and I can buy it too. You just get better and better.
17 Mar 2012 - 17:21 GMT
fruitcakefox
This was absolutely fantastic. I hope it's repeated every year so my daughter can watch it (& understand it) when she is old enough. An extremely clever concept. Well done to everyone for the brilliant film.
24 Apr 2012 - 21:28 BST
Fantacia1
This was both tear jerking and heart warming. Wonderful acting and the story kept me glued to my seat.
25 Apr 2012 - 14:45 BST
lynncce1
how can we in the States bring/convince BBC to show this in the States this year ??? Lynn from Pittsburgh,Pa. regards to Dave Logan who's book i lost in my house fire this year
28 Oct 2012 - 04:54 GMT
JackiH
The most beautiful, most moving Christmas movie and EI plays it perfectly. This is my 'It's a Wonderful Life' for the future.
22 Feb 2013 - 13:54 GMT