"A Christmas Story" - 12/08/02 - 12/14/02

[Morticia]

This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "A Christmas Story".

The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.)

We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion.

Thanks everyone. We are open to any ideas about running this forum.

****SPOILER WARNING**** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers.

[NotaNumber]

"A Christmas Story" is a marvelous adaptation of several of Jean Shepard's short stories. Jean Shepard was one of America's leading humorists and these short stories were originally published in Playboy magazine during the 60's and early 70's.

The framework of "A Christmas Story" a built around Shepard's "Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid". A story about the protaganist Ralph's endevours to obtain as a Christmas gift a "Red Ryder" air rifle (BB gun, I have a 50th anniversary model sitting in the other room ).

The viewer is treated to a delightful examination of boyhood adventures in pre-war middle America during the Depression. One cannot help sharing a smile and a feeling of warmth or a tear or two as this movie provokes memories of childhood Christmas mornings. Mornings that were shared with the family and joys and perhaps disappointments of the gifts given and received or not received.

Few films are able to touch at the essence of childhood adventure with humor as "A Christmas Story" does.

[NotaNumber]

One of the best things that I find about this film is how parents are portrayed through Ralph's eyes.

They are far from perfect: Ralph's father is seen to be stubborn and foul-mouthed and his mother somewhat sneaky or underhanded. Yet there is an undercurrent of hero worship: the "Old Man" (played by Darren MacGavin) is the best swearer around, capable of impossible feats (fixing the reluctant furnace), his mother while never having a chance to sit down to a hot meal some how manages to keep this rambunctious family together and fed, even if those Depression time meals featured boiled cabbage.

Ultimately his parents are seen as sagely and wise, though still imperfect. The "Old Man" for acknowledging Ralph's boyhood need for an air rifle to feel grown-up and his mothers admonitions of "You'll put your eye out." Their imperfection in that they are not omniscient when Ralph gets away with his lie.

We should all be so fortunate as to resolve the love-hate relationships with our parents.

[airjosh]

I believe that I am one of the few people on the planet that really dislikes this film. I don't find it funny at all. Everything from the narration to the kid, to the way it was shot gets on my nerves. I am not sure why, but it just drives me nuts. It is funny, because normally this kind of movie would be right up my alley.

[Morticia]

Airjosh -- kudos for the dissenting opinion! Would you mind doing me a small favor and clarifying what you dislike about the way it was shot? What I'm getting at, is that since Film Class is about critiquing films and filmmaking...how would a different camera technique (or whatever) changed the movie for the better for you?

Just wondering...I saw this for the first time all the way through the other night, and will be putting in my .02.

[airjosh]

Originally posted by Morticia
Airjosh -- kudos for the dissenting opinion! Would you mind doing me a small favor and clarifying what you dislike about the way it was shot? What I'm getting at, is that since Film Class is about critiquing films and filmmaking...how would a different camera technique (or whatever) changed the movie for the better for you?

Just wondering...I saw this for the first time all the way through the other night, and will be putting in my .02.

For me it has the feeling of being in someone else's house and the way they live makes you uncomfortable. I know that sounds like a bad analogy, but that is the best way to describe it. Almost claustrophobic. The frame seemed often cluttered to me and it seems to carry on with the film stock and style of the late 70s, it just looks dirty (not that 83 is far from the late 70s). I don't know how else to explain the negative effect. It has nothing to do with the story, etc. but that film is like the sniffling, skinny nerd that always seems to have a cold in grade school. Nice enough kid, but being around him gives you the willies.

[artood2]

I think this movie captures the feeling of being a kid around Christmas time perfectly. I mean who amoung us has not longed over their own personal "Red Ryder BB gun?"

I have seen this movie probably more than any other with the exception of Star Wars, but each time I seem to get a little more out of it. now i'm not saying this a great piece of filmmaking ala gone with the wind or anything but it definatly makes me feel like i was a kid in the radio days of america so to speak.


the narrator works well and covers up any acting or script problems with his insightful performance.

I dont have very many set traditions but watching this at least twice during the holidays is a definate must!

Ps my personal red ryder gun was an atari 2600 ... While I couldnt shoot my eye out the price was prohibiitive..
I think I might have even written an essay back in grade 1....

[NotaNumber]

The narration was done by Jean Shepard himself, who also shares writing credits on the film.

Shepard normally wrote in the first person and had much radio experience in the late 60's and early 70's so voice-over narration was a natural for this film.

Of some possible interest was that when I took Robert McKee's story structure class in the late 80's he singled out the "I got away with it!" scene as one of the few times that narration worked.

Much information on the life and acheivements of Jean Shepard, including links to recordings of his radio programs, can be found at: http://www.flicklives.com

[Morticia]

Thanks for the great info!

I watched this one night as a double feature with "Christmas Vacation." OK, maybe not the best idea...

It was OK, I guess it didn't grab me like it grabbed others. I did appreciate the Christmas Present that Almost Got Away (who hasn't had their heart set on a specific toy or gift?), and the portrayal (and subsequent pummelling) of the neighborhood bully...but I dunno, I just don't see myself watching this every year.

One of the big complaints about the DVD is the bad transfer. Well, my equipment may not be the best, but it looked more like it had an overall softness to it. I thought it most appropriate actually, to be so soft. Isn't this a nostalgia piece? And aren't memories tinted or colored differently than reality? Seemed to me it fit the circa-1950s feel perfectly.

[NotaNumber]

I don't own the DVD as I refuse to buy it unless it is a widescreen version. Sign the widescreen petition please

Most of my viewing experience has been from TV broadcasts, a VHS copy, and rentals of the laserdisc and DVD.

Warner Bros did a terrible transfer on this film, compared to the laserdisc. I couldn't tell you if the look is intentional or not, having never seen the film in the theatre.

Keep in mind that there are stability problems with many of the film stocks used in the late 70's and early 80's.

[Joe Michaels]

This is my first time posting in this area! I'm sorry that you are probably done discussing it but I would really like to add a comment or two if you don't mind.

I really liked the way this movie was filmed. I'm not really keen on Dream sequences or Narration but somehow in this movie it just all fit.
When I think back to my own childhood everything has that kind of 'I'm in a bizarre dream' feel to it and they capture it nicely in this film.
I think many people miss out on the virtues of this film because of the tone and musical score. It has a goofiness about it that some just won't accept yet it manages to capture basic childhood elements rather nicely.
For example, nt standing in line at the proper point or trying to get you teacher's approval or getting your Mom to realize things you want or need.
It's actually a situation comedy pushed to outrageous boundaries.

With that I would like to end my first post here by saying:
FRAG-EE-LAY!