Vive le vol d'hiver

Jingle Bell Heist is a harmless piece of Netflix content that's designed to be enjoyable in an undemanding fashion. It's got enough festive charm and high stakes heists to sustain a thankfully short 94 minute run time with a satisfying ending to ensure the film is actually worth committing to. It's a simple story of well deserved revenge involving stealing from the rich to give to those who need it.

Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells are a good pairing who have a cute chemistry. They both get an introduction which makes them feel very cynical and deliberately similar in their experiences but there's thankfully more to it that's gradually revealed, making them increasingly empathetic. Peter Serafinowicz makes his one note villain suitably despicable without a lot of screen time.

Acting as both director & cinematographer, Michael Fimognari gets the job done with the standard issue streaming construction where everything is visually flat and overly lit in places. There's the odd bit of life in the camerawork and Jeffrey M. Werner's editing has a few transitions which gives it some extra life. Steve Hackman's playful score sounds the part despite the odd misstep.

Sophia works two jobs to make ends meet, her mother is sick in hospital, and she gets by by pinching. Nick, a former employee at Sterlings department store, has access to the cameras, spots Sophia pinching, and makes her an offer.

It's very likeable - a definite mix of genres: part crime caper, part seasonal romance, part comedy, and there's just enough to tug at the heartstrings too.

It's a British Christmas film, so there's a faint whiff of cynicism. Sometimes you need a festive film that isn't quite Hallmark, and all its syrupy charm. Don't get me wrong, it's goofy, but even the outlandish Sterlings are grounded.

I love the idea of a chic UK department store, where all the glamorous assistants wore neckerchiefs. Sadly, those days ended with Thatcherism, although it is short-staffed, so that rings true. It's like an export version of Britain, with dry martinis and tuxedos - but it works.

Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells were a cracking duo, combining so well. Not your usual Christmas movie hires - two people who don't feel as if they're living inside a snow globe. Lucy Punch knows how to give us a spoilt princess, but this one has a twist.

Heart and humour - this one's a cut above the usual selection of festive flicks.

8/10.

It is what it is, festive fodder, but my word it's a lot of fun. It's a pastiche/nod to 60s heist movies in places and there are some fantastic laugh out loud moments, the cast is great, good chemistry and very watchable. It's silly, of course it is, the title tells you that, but it's a worth a watch; if you want your Christmas movies to be highbrow (who does) you're in the wrong place. Have a mince pie, get a cuppa and enjoy the glorious nonsense.

This film is definitely worth a watch.

I was not expecting much from this, thinking it was going to be a generic Christmas caper cum love story.

However, it is actually really well written and has plenty of surprises and plot twists with a satisfying and wholesome ending.

The two leads are great with genuine chemistry and the pace is just right so there are no flat spots.

Give it a try.

I was shocked how much I enjoyed this. This is not a Hallmark style Christmas rom com. Usually this isn't my thing but I'm a fan of Olivia Holt and of heist films. It's December so I figured why not. It's #1 on Netflix so I'll give it a chance. Didn't even think I would finish but I thought the humor had some moments.

There isn't as much romance as you would expect from one of these films, the main plot is about the heist. That's probably why I liked it as much as I did. The soundtrack and the twist are what raised my rating. I thought how it ended specifically the last 20 minutes went was really great stuff that I didn't see coming.

I would definitely give this a chance and I think you'll find out right away if you'll like it or not.