Am I Missing Something?

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

The journey that led to Charles Dickens' creation of "A Christmas Carol," a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas. Dan Stevens and Christopher Plummer are two very likable and talented actors for sure but 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' was missing the Christmas spirit quite alot and unfortunately it's well known actors couldn't save it from falling apart. The storyline was interesting but the execution wasn't that good tho and the acting although good the characters were missing something as a whole for sure and it was quite disappointing. (3/10)

Now this kind of a movie is really a treat for book lovers in general and Dicken's fans all around the world. Why? Because it really shows you how an idea is conceived and how a writer struggles to put it on paper while dealing with the life that runs around him/her. This movie diligently explores the period of Dicken's life when he was suffering through a financial crisis too and was adamant to keep it hidden from his family while keep his extravagant lifestyle still in order. When he pitched his publisher the idea of The Christmas carol who was reluctant to invest on him anymore due to past few failed books, writing this became imperative not only because of the passion he felt for what was coming but also as this was his only way out. When the support of the publisher is ultimately denied, he decides to publish it himself.The Man who invented Christmas beautifully depicts this journey of writing The Christmas carol. We also get a glimpse of the tragic and lesser known phase of Dicken's childhood where he was abandoned to work in labour factories due to his father's irresponsible ways. While reminiscing some of the most painful memories and trying to decode his fictional tale, dickens start writing the Christmas carol and healing some of his long hidden demons.The screenplay is strictly kept in the confines as to understand the psychology of the writer who gave us one the best Christmas tales ever created. Charles Dickens is played with adequate charm and perseverance by Dan Stevens. The characters of the book are also provided a real presentation on screen as real people crowding Dickens at all times. I don't really need to comment about Christopher Plummer's acting because he is flawless and he so aptly portrays the role of scrooge that we only knew so well in our minds so far. He is dark, mocking and disturbs even Dickens while dealing with him on paper. His darkness is hard to break. But dickens wins at the end as the history says it all through the book's success. All the supporting characters of the movie provide enough spine to keep the movie going without feeling lacking of a narrative. The old world charm is kept strong with a great production backing it up. Please treat your kids to this gem while keeping their innocence alive. Even with some depicted darkness, this will only be empowering to their minds as it wraps up really well.Visit the Blog:- quickiereviewsmovies.blogspot.com

This is a film based on the events that drove Charles Dickens to write one of the most popular books of all time.The film is well made and it seem authentic. The problem is we know this "gamble" will pay off. No suspense but otherwise a good film

The intention of this film was to offer insights into the genius of Charles Dickens in the writing of his beloved novel "A Christmas Carol." Unfortunately, the clumsy and meandering fantasy was an unconvincing portrayal of how a gifted writer becomes inspired.The film started well as we see the 32-year-old Dickens struggling to undertake a new writing project after three poorly received works, including "Martin Chuzzlewit," "Barnaby Rudge," and "American Notes." As Dickens wanders about London, he begins to get an idea for a Christmas tale based upon the people he is observing on the streets.It is at this point that the filmmakers make a wrong turn by having Scrooge and the other characters appear to Dickens in the flesh and guide him through the story. The film thereby turns into a "gimmick" in which we see the characters acting out their roles in front of the quizzical Dickens, who seems in a fog about all of these literary characters appearing before him as strange apparitions! In turn, we are forced to re-live Dickens' hardscrabble childhood when, at age twelve, he was forced to work as a grimy and "scabby" little factory boy, pasting labels onto jars of black boot shoe polish in a rat-infested factory filled with vile little street urchins who verbally abuse "Charlie" because he thinks that his spendthrift father is a gentleman.A second flaw in the film was to turn Dickens himself into a Scrooge, whose shabby treatment of his father and other characters ultimately leads him to an awakening to "let bygones be bygones" and bring holiday cheer to one and all. The great realization that comes to Dickens is that "no one is useless in this world that lightens the burden of another." In the act of writing "A Christmas Carol," Dickens is supposed to be lightening the collective burden of the world. Unfortunately, the excessive sentiment was forced and artificial. For us as the audience, the "burden" was to be forced to sit through this silliness.While the Victorian costumes were effective and the performers were well-cast, the ultimate effect was neither a compelling biographical film nor a serious attempt to understand the way that a novelist develops characters and narrative. Above all, the attempt at fantasy never worked.The publication of "A Christmas Carol" on December 19, 1843, was undoubtedly a major literary event. It just wasn't celebrated very convincingly in this superficial film that portrayed the old "Boz" as a nasty old Scrooge.Bah! Humbug!