The Film Christmas, Again Review – This Relaxed Story of a Forlorn Christmas Tree Seller Has Genuine Charm
The is a New York drama so laidback that it has taken a decade to reach the UK’s cinema screens. Initially unveiled in the US in 2015, it’s a micro-budget first feature from debut filmmaker Charles Poekel, set almost entirely on a 24-hour pop-up Christmas tree stall. Poekel’s style remains decidedly authentic-indie and naturalistic to become slushy or sentimental about Christmas; in his view Christmas tree lights blink like police lights. But with its subtle approach, he pitches his film perfectly for a little squeeze of festive warmth.
A Jaded Seller Amid the Brooklyn Cold
Kentucker Audley portrays Noel (someone had in the film to joke about his name for the connection to be made). Noel returns for his fifth year selling Christmas trees in Brooklyn, standing outside in the freezing cold and resting in a not-much-warmer caravan parked next to the trees. A few customers inquire after the girl assisting him last year. But this year Noel works solo, broken-hearted and working the night shift.
There’s an observational quality to many of the scenes, with customers asking pointless random questions. One woman wants the same Christmas tree as the Obamas (this is 2014). Noel looks frozen to the bone physically and emotionally; he’s weary and disillusioned, though Audley’s understated acting clearly indicates that he wasn’t always like this.
Understated Encounters and Flickers of Connection
In truth, the plot is minimal. Noel comes to the aid of a woman, Lydia (Hannah Gross), who has collapsed drunk on a bench. She reappears later in some genuinely moving scenes as Noel drives around New York, making tree deliveries – and these sequences could ignite a small glimmer of good cheer in the grinchiest of hearts. Poekel hasn’t made a feature since this, which is a shame – you can’t beat it for naturalness and ease, and it’s filmed on beautifully grainy 16mm film.
A picture of understated charm and real mood, portraying the solitude and brief connection of the season.
Christmas, Again opens in UK cinemas from 12 December.
