Mitch Davis’ 2015 film aptly titled “Christmas Eve” is a holiday story like none other. Davis handles all aspects of the film, specifically showcasing his excellent writing and directorial prowess. An ensemble cast completes a funny and thoroughly creative picture.
It’s Christmas Eve in New York City. We’re quickly introduced to a gaggle of different characters, and the pieces are set for the bedlam that’s to follow. A serendipitous accident knocks out the power, stranding the various characters in six randomly dispersed elevators.
Right off the bat I loved the idea. Anything different runs the risk of being too contrived. Here, we are readily willing to accept the situation. As we watch the sub-dramas unfolding amidst six elevators, the creativity of a well written script will keep you invested. The film clocks in at a perfect 95 minutes.
Sir Patrick Stewart leads the ensemble. Here, Stewart plays a rich, scrooge-like tyrant who fires people like it’s a bodily function. While all the characters have some degree of growth for the film, this character has the most. Stewart is the only one who is stranded in an elevator by himself. As such, his dialogue is limited to personal reflection and berating various building personnel via the emergency phone. It’s a testament to his great acting abilities that he can play the role so effectively without any assistance.
Other elevators we focus on consist of an orchestra of musicians, a group of quirky Manhattan types, an HR manager with the employee he fired minutes before, a medical team, and of course a man and a woman who live in the same building but have never once met.
The dialogue amidst the characters is excellent, from Stewart’s erupting anger to the recently fired man (Jon Heder) taking shots at the company that callously dismissed him on Christmas Eve. The conversations are at times funny, at times philosophical. Emotional connections are made as well. The hospital elevator has Gary Cole as an atheistic surgeon and his spiritual nurse (Shawn King) talking about the wishes of a terminal patient. Cole is most known for his role in the hysterical flick “Office Space.” Here, he demonstrates he has the chops to pull off any genre.
My favorite rapport belongs with the potential love connection elevator, characters played by James Roday and Julianna Guill. Roday instantly begins flirting in a realistic and charming way. His character is constantly chewing on sticks of gum, a great choice either by the actor or director. It makes him seem like a real guy, and one we hope can successfully woo the beautiful stranger. Roday and Guill seem like true New Yorkers with their looks and manner of speech.
There’s not much to critique with this one. It’s well acted, written, and directed. It’s an interesting story and while different, still holds great value for your Christmas movie watching rotation.
