A Christmas Story

Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz, Ian Petrella, Zack Ward, R.D. Robb
Directed by: Bob Clark
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
1983

Times Seen:
Tim: 4

Summary: In the 1940s, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

Review:

Tim: My appreciation for A Christmas Story has only grown over the years. I watched it numerous times as a kid and while I liked it, it was a tough movie to watch- it wasn't cuddly or cute. It was challenging, a slightly more mature movie than I was used to. This is actually a big strength of the film. It's a story about kids, but it looks back at childhood through adult eyes. That allows it to tell a powerful Christmas story that evokes feelings of nostalgia, even if you didn't grow up in the 1940s. It's an exceptionally well made movie and one of the best Christmas films ever made. This is all around a terrific film.

The story of Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Red Ryder BB gun is at this point, a true Christmas classic. There's something so familiar and cozy about the film, you could step into it at any point and enjoy the movie. The plot has so many iconic moments- the tongue on the metal poll, "fudge" and the soap, Ralphie's naive daydreams, the fight, the lamp, visiting Santa. Each of these scenes is expertly crafted. They are like touchpoints on the journey of this film, revisiting them brings you great joy. This is the rare movie that gets consistently better the more you see it. Eventually, it's almost like you're remembering your own childhood through Ralphie's eyes. This is really what makes the film so great. Bob Clark directs it with passion, never trying to tell too big of a story. The narrow focus is the beauty of this film- it reminds us of our own childhoods, when the world seemed big but was surprisingly small. The characters, the events, it's all told with such care that every scene feels like a memory. That's a wonderful way to create a movie and is fairly unique. I believe that's what truly differentiates this film.

The cast is good, so many people perfectly capturing these characters. Young Peter Billingsley is perfect as Ralphie. He's wise beyond his years, but childish and naive in the same breath. It's a wonderful performance from a young actor who never feels like he's acting. Ralphie is our guide through this film and we see the world through his eyes, feel his emotions. The fact that Billingsley is able to make this emotional connection with the audience is essential to this film's success. Darren McGavin is likewise perfect as Ralphie's dad. He so embodies fatherhood in the 1940s, he lends such authenticity to all the proceedings. He's tough, not especially in touch with his feelings (but has a big heart), is always in a bit over his head but never aware of this fact. Melinda Dillon is terrific as Ralphie's mom. She's tough when she needs to be, tender most of the time. Like McGavin, she feels so authentically a 40s mom. The rest of the cast are all effective, too. Each of the characters- Randy, Flick, Farkus, Schwartz... each of them are infused with life and feel believable.

There's quite a few effective Christmas movies, but A Christmas Story is definitely in the upper echelon. It's an emotional, beautiful film that manages to be incredibly entertaining while touching on the joys and pitfalls of childhood. It perfectly captures what it's like to be a kid during Christmastime. That was true in the 1940s as depicted here, true in the 1980s when the film was released (and when my childhood Christmases took place), and still true today. You don't often see a film that is true timeless, but that's exactly what you get with A Christmas Story.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street