Common themes for Christmas movies
The Scrooge
The man who hates Christmas, Ebeneezer Scrooge is the classic character in various Christmas movies. Ebeneezer Scrooge was the principal character in Charles Dickens’ cult classic novel, A Christmas Carol. He is a man who never cared about this holiday nor cared about how people feel or think about him not caring for them. This theme has been used as a direct inspiration for various hit films. He first hated Christmas but one Christmas Eve, he was visited by the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, showing how his actions affected, is affecting and will affect the lives of others as well as his own. It is a story of change and hope but in a way, it also gives dark humor on how people perceive happiness. A lot of commercial films are banking on the literal lessons of the story, to be kind to everybody especially during Christmas. The story of Scrooge can further be analyzed and interpreted in a number of ways but nevertheless, it is a classic theme of change, of hope and of kindness, though that kindness is brought about by fear and guilt. One can say that it is not genuine kindness but it could be a good start. Scrooge was blinded by his own ambition and his own lack of regards to others but by exposing him to the world beyond his comfort zone, he was able to recognize the importance of kindness to others.
The Santa Story
Santa Claus is the quintessential icon of the Christmas holiday. He was a man of the legends, of urban stories and of children's dreams. The influence of Santa Claus to the world is too great that it would have been impossible not to have a Story based on Santa. The films created based on the character are diverse. It could be that Santa Claus has a non enthusiastic son or a nephew who had a change of heart and saved the day, Santa Claus trying to be captured by crooks, the journey across the world to give gifts and tons of other stories that can go overboard tradition. However, sine good old Saint Nicolas is not a true person, it is a lot easier to create unique stories regarding his exploits and other adventures. Nowadays, we can find a wealth of films inspired by Santa Claus. Most of them are geared towards kids. Nowadays, 3D animation is very popular due to the infinite possibilities while making Santa's adventures all the more modern, appealing to the crowd of kids who like to see these films.
Falling in love during the Holidays
Though we say that Christmas is basically for the kids, you cannot deny that the adults also find Christmas a very nice time of the year to just enjoy and be together. Love story theme a genre on its own but you can definitely a lot of themes and subplots that are focused on love. Winters are almost often associated with loneliness or sadness but Christmas seems to make it all the better a situation. With Christmas around, with decorations and stuff, you will find that films will always introduce love elements on the film. It could be a father or mother coming home for the holidays, old couples getting back together and finding each other back at each other’s arms when Christmas comes. Let's face it. Christmas is the best time to fall in love and therefore, you could not help it but feel romantic and blooming when you see films that are centered around love during the holidays. There is just something in the air when it is Christmas so it is a magical experience.
Children
From the Home Alone Franchise, the Grinch, and tons of other films that are centered or catered for children, there is only one thing to say, Christmas is for the kids. Children are always the focus of Christmas just because of their genuine love for the occasion. A lot of times, films are centered for the entertainment of kids and therefore, it is very common to find concepts that are focused around Snow Day, on sharing, on family values and of traditions. The Home Alone franchise is focused around a kid who was left alone in the house for different circumstances and Christmas was a constant setting for such events
Fantasy
Christmas is a fantasy and there is no other way to describe this experience. Most, if not all films focus on a certain Christmas miracle. It could be something like Santa Claus, a supposed villain becoming the good guy, families getting back together again, a second chance to life, a second chance to love and a whole range of other small yet touching miracles that we often times forget. The fantasy of Christmas has been made a spectacle in films but nonetheless, they are great in making people feel good and look forward for the holidays. There is no other way to embrace the holidays like in the films.
True, Christmas in films may be just a romanticized idea of a perfect world, but that does not mean they are irrelevant to real people. The desire to have fun and to dream as well as keep hoping for a better life and a better self is reflected on these films and it does not matter if you are a kid or an old Scrooge, you will find something in these films that will touch your heart and make you feel festive of the seasons.
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