2020's The Claus Family is something else entirely, a film that feels at odds with most of the Netflix films I've seen so far, but still enjoyably festive. This one is a Dutch-Belgian production, which lends it a unique feel and it's also darn heavy for a kids' holiday movie, with themes of bereavement and coping with loss. Canny Netflix swooped in to save this one when Covid meant that all Belgian cinemas had to stay closed for Christmas. Good job, as this is not bad at all.
'Mama' Suzanne (Bracha Von Doesbergh) moves to Belgium from Holland along with her two young children following the death of her husband last Christmas. Mama's found work in a biscuit factory, moving the family closer to her father-in-law Papa Noel (Jan Decleir) who owns a quaint wee shop in a stunning, picturesque village.
It's all rather serious and realistic until a magical moment takes me completely by surprise, when grandson Jules (Mo Bakker) is mucking about in the shop and picks up grandpa's snowglobe which, in an exhilarating, blast of awesome special effects, magically transports him around the world. It's a cool surprise, with the kid leaping back and forth, from New York to China, to the middle of the ocean before finally landing in Santa's workshop. After he's blasted back home, Jules pulls his papa up about this, right before the clumsy codger has a fall and is hospitalised. I've said before about my amazement about how so many films see no problem with showing Santa dying or in mortal peril and we can add this one to the list of movies that may seriously traumatise young uns. Don't worry, though, he bounces back.
So, Santa acknowledges he’s past it and shows Jules the ropes of the family business, hanging out with his cute, miniature Borrowers-like elves, all while trying to keep this a secret from the rest of the family. The elves here are very different from everything I’ve seen so far, in that they’re actual pocket-sized little guys, like those ‘Elf on the Shelf’ toys, rather than the usual little people/kids-with-glued-on-pointy-ears. That certainly makes them memorable, though they are quite annoying, especially the one that bursts into spontaneous opera-singing.
So far, so cute, except Jules is still mourning his dad and isn't interested in learning how to be Santa right now. It’s pretty dark for a family film, though it’s dealt with really well, with lessons learned about living with grief and having the courage to honour the dead by living your own life to the fullest.
All we can do is learn to live with the sadness we have and never forget the love that was there, however fleeting. So yeah, this film’s pretty effective in that department. This one really has me thinking about how many Christmas films think nothing of showing us the death of a loved one in the first act. There are so many widows and orphans in these things! Honestly, one of the ongoing themes in this one is about how even Santa must some day perish - give us a break, Christmas films!
It’s a pleasant film without being outstanding, though the beautiful, old-fashioned cobblestoned village is a treat for the eyes and, again, really gets me in the mood for this year’s approaching holiday season. The Claus Family feels intimate, while also dealing with massive concepts, such as how Santa makes and delivers all those gifts. Really though, it’s an examination of grief, masquerading as cheery, cheesy festive fare, so be warned. Before watching this, I honestly never thought I’d find myself hoping for more cheese but now I could definitely do with some light relief.
Comments