Christmas, Again Film Review – This Laidback Tale of a Forlorn Christmas Tree Seller Has Genuine Charm
This constitutes a New York drama so laidback that it has taken a decade to arrive on the UK’s cinema screens. First released in the US in 2015, it’s an ultra-low-budget debut from first-time director Charles Poekel, set almost entirely on a 24-hour pop-up Christmas tree stall. Poekel’s style is far too genuinely independent and naturalistic to get slushy or sentimental about Christmas; through his lens Christmas tree lights blink like police lights. But with its subtle approach, he positions the movie just right for a little squeeze of festive warmth.
A Weary Seller Amid the Brooklyn Cold
Kentucker Audley portrays Noel (it took someone in the film to comment on his name for the connection to be made). Noel returns for his fifth year peddling Christmas trees in Brooklyn, working outdoors in the freezing cold and resting in a not-much-warmer caravan parked next to the trees. A few customers inquire after the girl working with him last year. But this year Noel is alone, broken-hearted and working the night shift.
There’s an observational quality to a lot of the scenes, with customers asking pointless random questions. One woman requests the same Christmas tree as the Obamas (this is 2014). Noel looks frozen to the bone physically and emotionally; he’s exhausted and disenchanted, though Audley’s subtle performance makes it clear that he wasn’t always like this.
Understated Moments 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 travels through New York, delivering trees – and these moments could spark a little flicker of good cheer in the grinchiest of hearts. Poekel has not directed a feature since this, which is regrettable – it is unmatched for naturalness and ease, and it’s shot on beautifully grainy 16mm film.
A picture of quiet charm and authentic atmosphere, portraying the loneliness and fleeting connection of the holidays.
Christmas, Again opens in UK cinemas from 12 December.
