Forget The Negative Reviews, Last Christmas Is A Festive Treat With Very Real Modern-Day Themes At Its Heart

The film also hones in on the abhorrent racism that has reared its ugly head since the announcement of Brexit back in 2016.  A scene where a couple conversing in Croatian on the bus get told to ‘speak English or go to back to where you came from’ is jarring, but one that happens all too often.

When Kate approaches the couple and announces that not only is she fluent in their language, but they are in fact very welcome here, it’s difficult not to be moved by such an act, minimal as it was. Not only is it a final acceptance of Kate’s culture (she introduces herself as Katerina, her real Yugoslavian name), but for the thousands of immigrants who are harassed in the UK daily, it’s an acknowledgement of their struggles, and their presence.

These all appear rather heavy themes for a movie that was advertised as a simple Christmas romcom, and yet, that is precisely what makes it stand out from the crowd. Although they are all merely touched upon, which was one of the many criticisms the movie faced, their inclusion felt distinctive and necessary.

Last Christmas steps away from the perfection of Christmas, and tackles many of the deep-rooted issues our society faces today including homelessness and the fear of deportation, and it is these unexpected additions that give it the charm critics seem to have missed.

Despite this, the film still leaves you feeling jolly. It’s colourful, and camp, and perfectly British, with an appreciation for George Michael, awkward elf costumes and the reflective cobbled streets of Covent Garden.

It may be a story about love, but not in the traditional romcom sense of the word. It’s the joining of cultures, sexualities, classes, and people who are worse off than you. Primarily, it is a story about inclusion. Though Clarke and Golding are brilliant as Kate and Tom, it is the supporting cast, Yeoh and Thompson included, that bring a sincerity and warmth to the film.

A festive tale of romance peppered with real life issues may not be for everyone, so anyone looking for the perfect film should explore elsewhere – for everyone else, glitter up and get ready for the waterworks.