Tills ring out for Last Christmas – the ‘turkey’ critics hated
CrITICS condemned it as a turkey. But cinematic schmaltzfest Last Christmas is turning into one of the most successful movies of the season.
The rom-com – written by Dame Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings – is loosely based on the 1984 Wham! hit of the same name. It was number one in UK cinemas in its first weekend and came second only to Disney’s hit Frozen 2 in its second week.
Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, 33, and BBC presenter Henry Golding, 32, costar in the film, in which an unlucky woman working as a department store elf meets a mysterious stranger on her shift.
As well as three Wham! tracks, it features a string of songs from Michael’s solo career. UK box office figures show it had grossed just shy of £7million by last weekend.
Despite critics describing the film as ‘neither romantic, nor funny’, ‘patronising’ and ‘a load of old baubles’, cinema goers are raving about it.
Jules royal tweeted: ‘Not my usual type of film, but I really liked it. Don’t believe the critics, this movie has a lot of heart and a message that I think a lot of folks will resonate with.’
Another wrote: ‘Last Christmas is a great film. It conveys a message I wish people would take to heart. Forget the stupid reviews.’ New York Post critic Johnny oleksinski said: ‘Last Christmas isn’t particularly funny, or romantic. And the film’s twist ending…is idiotic.’
Speaking on Lorraine last month, Dame Emma said she had been given Michael’s blessing to go ahead with the film before he died on Christmas Day in 2016. ‘He was so pleased we were writing a film based on his song,’ she said.
Last Christmas isn’t the only film to defy critics. The Greatest Showman was expected to flop but its opening weekend saw the film take £4.75million in the UK. Bohemian rhapsody passed £696million at the global box office, despite low-scoring reviews.