Last Christmas (2019)
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A disillusioned Christmas store worker finds an unexpected connection with a mysterious man, leading to a profound discovery about her own past.
The story
Katarina 'Kate' Andrich works a dead-end job as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop in Central London. After a disappointing singing audition, she strikes up a conversation with Tom Webster, a cycle courier. As Kate navigates her complicated family life and her feelings of being 'half-dead' after a heart transplant, she finds herself drawn to Tom's mysterious life. The story follows her journey of self-discovery and the growing bond she forms with him during the festive season, as she attempts to find her place in the world while dealing with her personal struggles and the pressures of her environment.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Katarina 'Kate' Andrich works as an elf in a London Christmas shop and feels stuck in her life. She meets Tom Webster, a cycle courier, and the two begin a relationship. Kate's life is complicated by her family dynamics, including her mother's depression and her sister's hidden identity. After a heart transplant a year prior, Kate feels 'half-dead' and struggles with her identity as a performer. She eventually learns that Tom is the donor of her heart, as he passed away in an accident the previous year. On Christmas Eve, Kate organizes a show for the community, performing the song 'Last Christmas' with a group of performers from a local shelter. The film ends with Kate and her family celebrating together, and a final scene shows a healthier Kate sitting on Tom's memorial bench.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English; Croatian
- Directors
- Paul Feig
- Writers
- Emma Thompson · screenplay; Bryony Kimmings · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Emilia Clarke · Kate; Henry Golding · Tom; Michelle Yeoh; Emma Thompson
- Genres
- romance; comedy; drama
- Themes
- self-discovery; sacrifice; family dynamics; hope
- Tone and mood
- romantic; whimsical
- Premise and plot tags
- Christmas; romance; organ transplant; homelessness
- Source material / true-story basis
- the 1984 song of the same name by Wham!
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances and chemistry of Clarke and Golding, but criticised the screenplay and story.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 3 · scale: 5
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Trailer Awards · Best Romance · 2021 · nomination
- Production trivia
- Harry Styles was approached for the role of Tom but declined.; The film features music from the late singer George Michael.; The film was based on a 1984 song by Wham!.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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