Last Christmas

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “Even on my most Ebenezer of days, I wouldn’t have been able to resist this sentimental journey.”

  Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times · 88

• “But you know what? It works. Director Paul Feig is not unfamiliar with traversing these waters of a slap and a tickle. He’ll give you the Christmas cheer and also the realities of life, and it’s helpful that Thompson and Kimmings have razor-sharp instincts when it comes to that short, sharp, shocked brand of British humor that we all love so well.”

  Josh Kupecki, Austin Chronicle · 78

• “Clarke has been angling at legit leading lady status ever since she got called Khaleesi, to varying degrees of success. Last Christmas feels like the young actress is in full form. Forget the perceived genre limitations, this is a good performance. Her Kate is cutting, manipulative, charming, broken and funny. All at once! She’s fully human, a refreshing departure from some of her recent roles.”

  Dan Mecca, The Film Stage · 75

• “With Paul Feig in the director’s chair, this unapologetically sentimental film provides viewers with opportunities to laugh and cry while morphing into something a little different than what the trailers and marketing material suggest.”

  James Berardinelli, ReelViews · 75

• “Where the film succeeds, it’s because Feig and Thompson have remembered to mix in a little sour with the sweet.”

  David Sims, The Atlantic · 70