Review by
Ben Peyton
Directed by: Ryan Hendrick
Starring: Natalie Clark, Kenny Boyle, Sylvester McCoy, Frazer Hines, Sanjeev Kohli,
Clare Grogan
Christmas loving Jen (Natalie Clark) finds herself unexpectedly
dumped on December 24th after discovering her boyfriend has a secret
Santa, I mean family. Not the present she was hoping for and this ruins
what is usually the most wonderful time of the year for her. Also in need
of some Christmas cheer is Rob (Kenny Boyle), as his proposal to
his girlfriend doesn’t quite go as planned.
Due to the convenient circumstances found only in a Christmas film, the
pair find themselves thrown together, desperately trying to reach their
respective homes in Glasgow. Road closures, train cancellations and the
unforgiving Scottish weather conspire to make driving home for Christmas
nigh on impossible. The heartbroken couple bicker, yet bond, as they
battle the conditions as well as the frosty resentment caused by their
newly found single status.
Primarily set in the remote town of Fort William, they take shelter from
the storm in a charmingly quaint pub (I guess there was room at the inn
after all). Cue the inevitable will they/won’t they scenarios, plus a
quirky assortment of supporting characters all determined to tell
Christmas to get stuffed, and you’ve got yourself a festive film.
Lost at Christmas does have a lot going for it. There’s a
wonderfully atmospheric score by Stephen Wright and the majestic
Scottish scenery is showcased to wonderful effect, courtesy of some
spectacular drone shots. However, there’s a distinct lack of chemistry
between the two leads, which, given they’re carrying the entire film,
isn’t ideal. Clark gives it her all in a committed performance, but
Boyle’s Rob wallows in self-pity and is as miserable as the freezing
elements. It doesn’t help that certain character choices towards the start
of the film subsequently lead to a lack of empathy for their plight.
Numerous warnings about the dangers in front of them are ignored,
including one from the police, making it difficult to root for the
mismatched couple.
For a romantic comedy, the script simply isn’t funny enough and there are
too many moments where the energy that has been built up, usually by Jen,
dips and not enough happens. The introduction of new characters once we
reach the cosiness of the pub is a welcome one, but none of them are
particularly likeable and only Sanjeev Kohli's incompetent landlord
brings a smattering of laughs.
Although the climax is refreshingly unconventional, it’s a frustratingly
lacklustre ending. A rather self-indulgent, melancholic song means the
finale fizzles out rather than with uplifting, heart-warming closure.
Lost at Christmas is a perfectly harmless, yet instantly
forgettable festive film. While all the ingredients are there for a proper
Yuletide feast, the finished product is somewhat undercooked and not quite
the Christmas cracker you were hoping for.
Lost at Christmas is in UK cinemas
from December 4th and on Digital from December 7th.
