This wonderfully uplifting film dashes through the snow to deliver an instant classic.
Christmas films are usually a sore subject for me, for one thing there’s often an unspoken taboo rule of watching them outside of the December period, which if broken, will often elicit more scrutinising glares than breaking wind at a funeral. For another they are often governed by the formulaic plot of ‘Save Christmas’, which has been done to death, before being resurrected by voodoo magic only to be slain yet again. So it is to my intense relief that Sergio Pablos, in his directorial debut, has provided not only a stunningly animated picture but also a film that tackles how true acts of goodwill can make the world around you a better place.
Acting like an origin story for the big FC and Christmas itself, Klaus begins with entitled postman Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) being unceremoniously booted from his life of luxury by his father, to set up a functioning postal office on the run-down island of Smeerensburg, promising that if he does not meet the desired threshold of 6,000 delivered letters within a year then he will be cut off from his family’s fortune. The only problem problem with this is that the town is home to two warring families who have no need for letters, citing that they can make their point to the others fairly eloquently without them. However, when Jesper meets the reclusive toymaker Klaus (J.K Simmons), a get-the-letters-quick scheme gradually melts away as he helps to lay the foundation for modern Christmas as we know it. Indeed this film appears to have more in common with the formula for a buddy-cop movie, as the pair venture from reluctant partners to inseparable friends.
A major triumph of this film comes from a synthesis between it’s animation, which is actually 2D being made to look 3D, and it’s voice acting. All of the primary cast members, from Rashida Jones to Norm McDonald, have fantastic timing and are capable of being both humorous and heartfelt without it feeling dishonest. It’s almost startling to think that this is Pablos’ first film, being as confidently made as it is. Passion seeps through every part of this film and it is not an exaggeration to say that any moment that you pause on will look phenomenal. You feel joy just watching the story progress and that is most definitely intentional on the films part.
However, all of this is hindered somewhat by certain plot elements of the film. It can sometimes stumble onto the side of overcomplexity, with it’s aforementioned get-letters-quick schemes, and the film sometimes feels like it’s hastily drawing out topics it needs to address within it’s 90 minute time frame: how did Christmas come to be the way it is today? How can even dubiously motivated generosity lead to joy for others? Where do the cookies and milk go? It feels overwhelming and the breakneck speed with which it progresses can often exacerbate things. It is entirely possible that I am expecting far too much from this silly movie for kids, but I am one for some consistency.
Despite it’s flaws, I wholeheartedly welcome this into the ever expanding Holiday registry. Its charming story helps to bring to light why many consider Christmas to be a special time and it is certainly one I will be watching for many years to come.
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