Who would have thought we needed Adam from Sex Education for such a heartfelt and funny Christmas movie? To be honest, when I heard the title Jingle Bell Heist, I was instantly put off, since this genre thrives on romance and family drama, so why add petty robberies? Then I realized it's not the first Christmas heist movie, because there's already Die Hard, but hey, I don't know how many people consider it a genuine Christmas movie.
For me, the important thing is the snow and the thrill of knowing that two people are going to end up together at the end of the movie, which makes me love them so much. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it has a bit of both, which makes it a truly enjoyable Christmas movie for both newcomers and veterans.
Director: Michael Fimognari
Writers: Abby McDonald, Amy Reed
Stars: Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells, Lucy Punch
The movie follows two disillusioned young people who aren't having a good time during the most joyful time of the year and need money to solve all their problems. This is the moment they meet, and what follows is exactly what you'd expect from the title of this film: a Jingle Bell-style heist. Sophie and Nick embody the cliché that opposites attract.
mean, she's American and he's British. What more could you ask for? Joking aside, they make a good pair in a film like this, which focuses as much on interpersonal relationships as on department store robberies. It's undoubtedly very typical, but it stands out for its mix of random elements that make it genuinely entertaining. There's also an interesting twist that you might have seen coming if you were paying attention, but even if you didn't, learning something new is exciting.
Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells play Sophie and Nick. Both are very believable, although, despite having a long backstory, they come across as a bit two-dimensional. For Sophie, her relationship with her mother is paramount, and for Nick, it's also a family situation that I don't want to go into or reveal details about, but I thoroughly enjoyed these parts of the film. The heist itself is more "magical" than serious. Don't expect "Money Heist"-style operations, because that's not the film's focus. Although one could argue that it follows a similar sentiment (yes, we don't like the rich, especially at Christmas). But the film also features Peter Serafinowicz as the Big Bad Wolf, and although he's only on screen for about 15 minutes, it's great that he took the time for this role.
I think Holt and Swindells have good chemistry, even if it's not the main plot of the film. It certainly helps that they look good together, and there's a great contrast between them, which works very well for a film like this. I can't say it's my favorite Christmas movie, but it's definitely not one of those forgettable films we've seen so often, especially on an OTT platform like Netflix.
The film is bathed in a warm light, quite different from other Christmas media, especially one set in England. The decorations and trees certainly reflect the Christmas spirit, but I feel like we see too little snow to fully immerse ourselves in it. I just can't quite place it; that magical touch is missing from this film. I don't know about you, but when I think of a Christmas movie, I immediately picture snow-covered trees, cozy wool scarves, and hot chocolate with a carousel in the background.
I can't say I saw any of that here, and besides, the department store itself isn't very exciting either, and it feels more like a set than a real shop. However, I do quite like the costumes in the film, especially the outfit Cynthia wears at the party, which definitely adds a fun touch. You could say that music is the essence of a good Christmas movie. I would say this film did have Christmas music, but judging by the title, I can't help but be a little disappointed.
The music seems more comedic than festive, although it tries to offer a bit of both. And speaking of comedy, the tone is very British and doesn't make you laugh out loud, but it does have some funny moments. There's a whole sequence where Nick has to be with an older woman, and that moment is so awkward that, even though you know it was written to be awkward, you find it quite boring.
In short, if you're looking for a fun and somewhat novel Christmas movie for late November, Jingle Bell Heist isn't a bad place to start. If, like me, you thought it would be a boring heist film, I'm happy to say it will exceed your expectations, since you'll have started with them pretty low, under the Christmas tree. If you're a fan of Sex Education, you'll love Connor Swindells in this more relaxed and almost introverted role, very different, yet somehow similar to Adam. However, I can't yet guarantee it will get you into the Christmas spirit, but that's okay, because there's plenty of time for that (precisely one month minus one day). I'd give Jingle Bell Heist 3 out of 5 jingles, because I was pleasantly surprised to actually enjoy it. So I think I can safely say I recommend it.
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