Vive le vol d'hiver

My IMDB threshold score for watching a film is usually 6.5, preferably 7+. So I am a bit conflicted as to how to score Jingle Bell Heist. It is certainly worth much more than the current 5.8, but do I score it higher to try and compensate for the low score?

The first thing to say is is not a rubbish Hallmark standard Christmas film. Having said that, it's no Elf or Miracle 34th Street either.

It does have all the Christmas cliches, for example a completely unrealistic department store which seems to have lots of customers and lots of people serving but no actual products on any shelves. But it also has some realistic pub and hospital scenes that add refreshing credibility, to an obviously incredible (non-credible?) story. The dialogue is refreshingly realistic with people responding and saying things like real people would, as opposed to cardboard cut-outs.

The plot is good. The pace is good. The acting is good. The humour is good. I liked it for what it was. My wife didn't like it at all.

I give it a 7 even though it is really a 6 or 6.5.

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.

I was expecting Hallmark level fluff but this movie actually had a decent plot and interesting characters. It won't knock your stockings off, but it's a nice way to pass an evening leading up to Christmas.

The story reveals itself gradually with a few plot twists that, in retrospect, were satisfyingly predictable, leaving you to feel that everything was tidily wrapped up with a big bow.

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.

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.