Bittersweet British Holidays: Last Christmas/This Is Christmas/That Christmas

(I'll be taking a brief break in January – see you next year!)

There's a unique flavor to British romcoms and especially British romantic holiday movies: a dash of vinegar mixed in with the sugar and spice, a grounding bite to the proceedings, a bittersweet gentle melancholy, an undercurrent that keeps it real and earns the emotion in every tiny moment and line. These movies hit just the right spot for me this year, reminding me that I'm not alone if I can bravely reach out, where there are valuable and heart-affirming connections everywhere you look.

Confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

"This movie is in love with that new car feeling of a new relationship." You say that like it's a bad thing. Relationship therapist ranks Love Actually romances.

"I like you very much, just as you are." Romcoms — and the patriarchy — need more moments like this.

"You'll go somewhere new and you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again." Best scene in the whole movie.

Oh and this one. "I've got a life to start living — and you're not going to be in it!" The patriarchy needs a whole bunch more of these moments, too.

"Last Christmas/I gave you my heart.." Just being a human IS hard, so yes, let's do something nice for someone. You're made of everything you do.

It might not be something but it could be everything. Oh this quiet, gorgeous movie.

My favorite characters are the twin girls Sam and Charlie, and the turkeys. Oh boy am I kidding: everybody is my favorite character in this amazing animated movie.