MovieChat Forums > The Holly and the Ivy (1954) Discussion > Snooze fest

Snooze fest

posted 3 years ago by strntz (10801)
3 replies | jump to latest

I guess I got sucked in by the hype, but boy is this a stinker. My wife and I sat through this wondering when it was suddenly get better, then it ended.

It's not really a Christmas movie, it's a family soap opera drama that takes place when the family happens to reunite for Christmas. They all have their issues and talk it out.

It's kind of like The Breakfast Club but *nowhere* near as interesting.

The whole point is that everyone is afraid of their pastor father, who is supposed to be a rigid, intolerant, and opinionated man. It all comes to a head when one daughter's traumatic secret gets found out, and the old man is like "so what"?

Wow.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5954) 2 years ago

Really, there is hype for a 1954 film? From whom, and where?
I suspect this film depends a lot on understanding British sensibilities, especially the old time ones.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

No need to be cynical and snotty. I think the "hype" that was meant is that the film is often put on lists of classic Christmas movies. I saw it a couple of years ago and thought it rather dull just as the OP did. I distrust my opinion since I probably wasn't paying close attention so I'm willing to give it a second chance.

[–] SooBee (129) a year ago

Yes, but Britain in 1954 was dull! I love this film. It's so gentle and undemanding.