A Christmas Story (1983)
Directed by: Bob Clark
Written by: Bob Clark, Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown
Starring: Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, Peter Billingsley
A Christmas Story follows the life of 9 year old Ralphie in the run up to Christmas. Set in the1950’s (though filmed in the 80’s) the main plot centres around Ralphie’s attempt to persuade the influential adults in his life that he needs a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. And each time it’s brought up, he gets the same response, “you’ll have an eye out”. As well as attempts at present persuasion, it also chronicles his life in general on the run up to the big day, including an eccentric father, who wins a leg lamp (a stocking covered leg with a lamp on top) and sees it as a treasured possession. Also there’s a run in with the local bully, and the general sort of misdeed you would get up to when you’re that age, like getting your friend to stick their tongue on a frozen post.
A Christmas Story is a huge film in the US, but until recently, was seldom heard of here in the UK. Thanks to DVD and movie channels, the film has had a little more exposure in the last couple of years, and it’s a film that deserves to be seen. Those who have grown up as an older sibling, can probably relate to Ralphie, as there were some classic interactions between him and his younger brother which were very reminiscent of when I was that age. And it’s things like that which probably make this film strike a chord. It may be a film, but many things ring true and remind me of what I was like when I was that age and things you would get up to, be it accidental or not, and the excitement at the prospect of a fantastic Christmas. The film is narrated in a Wonder Years preceding past-tense, by the writer of the book the film is based on, Jean Shepherd, who wrote ‘In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash’. It’s a collective of short stories, which are semi-autobiographical and included as subplots in the film. It’s definitely a quirky film (I try not use that word, but it best describes it!), and quite the slice of Americana, but if you find over excitable kids repellent, you’re probably better off giving this a miss, as there’s quite a lot of it, with it being Christmas time, obviously! It’s a fun film, which gets you in a great festive mood, and should be seen by more people.
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