What are some underrated, overlooked or simply unconventional, but good Christmas movies?
Like I mentioned a few times before, I really like “Faith, Fraud & Minimum Wage” (2011). The movie, taking place in Nova Scotia around Christmas time, centers around Casey McMullen, a troubled teenage girl who works at the local garden mall. Casey is raised by a single father, while her sister has been in a coma for a year, following a car accident. One day, in frustration, Casey throws her cup of coffee at the back wall of the mall, and leaves without cleaning it up. Some people see the stain the next morning, and decide that it looks like the face of Jesus. The word gets out, and many people soon start seeing it the same way, and claim that it is a miracle. Casey’s accidental hoax even makes the news, and attracts the tourists to Nova Scotia. Casey wants to tell the truth, but she can’t bring herself to do it, not only due to a fear of punishment, but also because she feels that the “miracle” gives people hope and makes them feel better.
The movie is pretty well acted, especially for a low-budget film, with Martha MacIsaac’s and Callum Keith Rennie’s performances standing out especially. The setting is beautiful. I also really liked the character of local priest; Andrew Bush’s performance was spot-on. It is also an interesting role-reversal. In most movies that are somewhat critical of religion, priests are portrayed as judgmental and hypocritical, while most common people, even religious, are portrayed as good, albeit misguided. In this movie, it is the opposite.
The ending, as unsettling and unexpected as it may be, is very well done. One would expect the movie the end in one of two ways (either Casey finally admits the truth, is forgiven and everyone learns an important lesson; or the people lose an interest in the “miracle”, everything returns to normal and she gets away with it). But instead, the movie goes with the third option, and it works very well.
Some scenes really are great directing: such as when Casey stands aside and considers her choices while the tourists (attracted by the news of the miracle) stand around and sing Christmas songs, or when Casey stands outside of her house at night and considers whether to go in or not.
Another good, unconventional Christmas movie is “The Ref” (1997). It is a black comedy about a married couple going through counseling around Christmas time. On Christmas Eve, they are taken hostage by a burglar who just stole jewelry and is desperately trying to get in touch with the getaway driver who bailed on him. The couple continues to argue throughout the whole ordeal, to the point that their captor needs to tell them to shut up. Their teenage son seems to like the criminal taking them hostage more than his own parents. Some of the lines/comebacks are so bitter and hateful that it’s hilarious. (“Your husband ain’t dead, lady. He’s hiding.”) This movie truly drives home how, more often than not, some people just can’t put aside their petty grievances; not during the holidays, and not even in gravely dangerous situations.
