The Film Christmas, Again Review – This Relaxed Story of a Forlorn Christmas Tree Seller Has Authentic Charm

The constitutes a New York drama so laidback that it has taken a decade to arrive on the UK’s cinema screens. First released in the US in 2015, it’s a micro-budget first feature from first-time director Charles Poekel, set almost entirely on a 24-hour pop-up Christmas tree stall. Poekel’s style remains decidedly authentic-indie and naturalistic to get slushy or sentimental about Christmas; in his view Christmas tree lights blink like police lights. But in its own low-key way, he positions the movie just right for a little squeeze of festive warmth.

The Jaded Seller Amid the Brooklyn Cold

Kentucker Audley stars as Noel (it took someone in the film to joke about his name before I twigged). Noel is back for his fifth year peddling Christmas trees in Brooklyn, standing outside in the freezing cold and sleeping in a not-much-warmer caravan stationed beside the trees. Several patrons ask about the girl working with him last year. But this year Noel is alone, broken-hearted and working the night shift.

There’s an observational quality to many of the scenes, with customers posing pointless random questions. One woman wants the same Christmas tree as the Obamas (this is 2014). Noel looks numb with cold in body and spirit; he’s weary and disillusioned, though Audley’s subtle performance makes it clear that he wasn’t always like this.

Understated Encounters and Flickers of Hope

Frankly, the plot is minimal. Noel rescues a woman, Lydia (Hannah Gross), who has collapsed drunk on a bench. She pops up again later in truly poignant scenes as Noel travels through New York, delivering trees – and these sequences could ignite a small glimmer of good cheer in the grinchiest of hearts. Poekel hasn’t made a feature since this, which is a shame – you can’t beat it for naturalness and ease, and it’s filmed on gorgeously textured 16mm film.

The film of understated appeal and real atmosphere, portraying the solitude and fleeting warmth of the holidays.

Christmas, Again arrives in UK cinemas from 12 December.