In the run up to the big day itself we have the first of the festive films with the release of ‘Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint’ and its starry cast of British favourites led by John Bradley in the title role who we first meet as a boy. He’s the new schoolboy in class and gets and his isolation worsens when his mother dies and he recoils into himself finding comfort in history and toy soldiers which he carries though into his adult life living alone.
Christmas turmoil ….
With Aubrey drawn into an altercation he finds himself arrested, charged and up in court where he‘s given community service, picking up litter with low key heart of gold bad boy Kugan (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). But the pair find an opportunity to work inside a retirement run by Ellen (Sophia Di Martino) who is doing her best to keep the home from being bought, flattened and redeveloped by an avaricious builder and property magnate. Against this background Ellen organises a play for the residents to appear and ropes in Aubrey to help out behind the scenes. There’s no shortage of acting talent at the retirement home which is populated by several beloved Brit favourites playing the pensioners. And off we go on what is a gentle undemanding Christmas comedy. Will the developer close down the retirement home? Will their play be a success and will Aubrey come out of his shell and let others into his life?
Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint – Will it be lonely this Christmas?
Written by Chris Boyle-McQuarry himself an actor (he has a small role here) who appeared in the mock doc ‘Mike Bassett : England Manager’ this has all the ingredients of a Christmas film and is bookended by a melancholy scenes for Aubrey until, as per the law of feelgood Christmas films, he finds happiness. Directed by Jack Spring, who was at the time the UK’s youngest and arguably tallest (he’s 6’9’’) film director having dropped out of film school and just got on with making a film with his debut with his 2018 comedy, ‘Destination Dewsbury’ (well worth a look). He has assembled an impressive array of British talent with Jim Broadbent narrating, supporting roles for Celia Imrie & Nigel Planer and cameos from Richard E Grant, Karl Pilkington and Alex McQueen. Its message that we all need human connection, none more so than at Christmas, is as relevant as ever that underlines the occasional streak of melancholy that occurs in a affecting scene towards the end. There’s much to like about Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint even if it is more likely to find its audience on Home Entertainment formats.
related feature : Jack Spring – The UK’s youngest feature film director talks about Destination Dewsbury…….
related feature : We chat to director Jack Spring talks about his heist film, ‘Three Day Millionaire’
Here’s the trailer for Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint …..
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