fbpx

This Movie Captures the ‘Redemptive Hope’ of the Christmas Season

This Movie Captures the ‘Redemptive Hope’ of the Christmas Season

By Movieguide® Contributor

Many know the story of Scrooge and how he turned his life around in the classic story “A Christmas Carol,” but do you know the story behind the author who created it? The 2017 movie THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS dives into the story of Charles Dickens, including his family and personal life.

“This was a fairly religious society, but [Christmas] was regarded as sort of a minor religious festival,” Dan Stevens, who played Dickens in the movie, said. “I think Dickens found something in that sort of midwinter celebration that was very convenient for his tale, the idea of redemptive hope in the very sort of the darkest hour of the year.”

The Daily Express noted that Dickens was “Inspired by his deep Christian convictions,” and those convictions sparked “the ghost story of the selfish old miser Scrooge, who is transformed into a joyful generous man after being visited by four spirits. The author’s parable would go on to become an annual reminder not to forget the needs of the poor during the festive season.”

READ MORE: HOW ‘REDEMPTION’ DRIVES ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS STORIES

“A phrase we use in the film where Dickens says, ‘No person is useless who lightens the burden of another,’ that’s, I think, at the heart of pretty much everything Dickens has done,” director Bharat Nalluri added. “In a way, that’s kind of what ‘A Christmas Carol’ is as well, and for me, I hope we captured an element of that. It’s a joyous, fun piece.”

The film shows Dickens’ difficult childhood; the author was “separated from his family as a child, forced to slave in a workhouse, who rose up the ranks of society thanks to his talent and determination,” Guideposts said.

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS also details Dicken’s financial struggles and how he financed “A Christmas Carol” by himself after being told by publishers that “Christmas books aren’t popular.”

Movieguide® called the Christmas flick “delightful, enthralling,” praising its Christian worldview and giving it a +1 content rating.

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS is full of laughter, tears and brilliance. Dan Stevens gives a magnificent, exuberant performance as Charles Dickens. Funny, ingenious scenes show Dickens interacting with characters from A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Heartfelt scenes show Dickens trying to come to terms with his own miserly attitude toward his own father. THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS is a brilliant celebration of the Christmas spirit, one of the best Christmas movies ever made. Some scary scenes warrant caution for younger children, however.

READ MORE: THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS REVIEW


Watch THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
Quality: - Content: +3
Watch DOLPHIN TALE 2
Quality: - Content: +2