Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint centres on Aubrey Flint, a Napoleonic history enthusiast whose dislike of Christmas began after his French mother died among the decorations. Now, he spends the season complaining about carollers and warning about the icy pavements of his home city, York. His outlook shifts when he becomes involved with a retirement community preparing what may be its final theatre production.
The residents choose A Christmas Carol, making the film’s direction clear. While Chris Boyle-McQuarry’s screenplay follows a familiar festive formula, the ensemble gives the story much of its liveliness. John Bradley plays Aubrey, with Richard E Grant as toy-shop owner Mr Hopkins, transformed by a frizzy wig and moustache. The community’s residents include Dave Johns, Celia Imrie, Brian Bovell and Nigel Planer, while Kiell Smith-Bynoe gardens under the watchful eye of Karl Pilkington.
The performances also bring out smaller comic moments and observations about amateur theatre and unenthusiastic administrators. Jim Broadbent provides occasional narration, and Imrie makes an impression with an impromptu audition as Scrooge. Planer’s Ghost of Christmas Present features in a comic closing moment connected to the Nicholas Craig story.
Director Jack Spring’s film is sentimental and predictable, but its strongest scenes show how the performers’ chemistry can give the material extra warmth. Aubrey’s eventual change of heart is expected; the cast’s spirited work is what gives the story its charm.
Sources: The Guardian Film.