Click & Collect

I'm almost certainly biased as I really like Stephen Merchant and his style of comedy, but that aside this is a very enjoyable 'short' film.

It has some excellent lines of comedy and although the story is fairly predictable, it's very much a film about the journey (in this case from Bedford to Carlisle and back) the two main characters bounce of each other well.

I missed seeing this when it was broadcast over Christmas and only discovered it yesterday on BBC iPlayer. I watched it expecting it to be reasonably amusing 'filler' TV but was happy to find that it was a lot funnier than I had expected. Both of the lead actors are great in it and had me laughing out loud (something I don't usually do to be honest). I was also surprised to find myself tearing up in a couple of places (again I don't usually do that). It was one of the best things I have seen recently and I wouldn't be surprised if Hollywood makes an extended, big budget, noisy, whacky, over the top version of it. It could never have the charm of this original though. I can see myself watching this every Christmas. Kudos to the actors and writers of this little gem. Highly recommended.

This was a truly lovely one off drama, the perfect start to the Christmas period, it was funny, it was moving, so nice to start Christmas off with something funny. It was slow to start, but quickly turned into something really rather excellent. So some of the jokes were a little telegraphed, but who cares, it was lovely, and made me laugh. The music was terrific, and seriously in keeping.

Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry take a bow, you delivered the goods for Christmas. 9/10

Caught this on Amazon Prime, I do like Stephen Merchant, his lanky body and accent lend themselves well to being a funny man. I absolutely loved this homage to one of my favourite holiday films, Jingle all the way. Stephen's co star was great casting too, very funny guy with perfect timing and the chemistry between the two was absolute magic. The arcade scene especially was very well put together, I found myself egging them on.

Overall very well written and directed and a pleasure to watch and highly recommended for a christmas film treat. This could easily have been extended a little and made a feature film with a theatrical release.

...It didn't look anywhere near cold enough to be Christmas Eve. I mean, driving in an open golf buggy through Carlisle in late December (without gloves on) and in an elf suit without gloves.... I reckon it was filmed around late September at most. (Probably wasn't Carlisle either!)

Otherwise, this is a stupidly and brilliantly festive, full of Christmas spirit and only 53 minutes!

Merry Christmas! 🎅 🎄 .