Courtesy of MGM
Christmas is coming soon and it’s the perfect time to review a classic Christmas film. A Christmas Story is the 1983 Christmas classic directed by Bob Clark and stars Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Melinda Dillon, and Darren McGavin. Narrated by Jean Shepard, the film tells the story of a boy named Ralphie in the 1940s that wants only one thing for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB Gun. Ralphie runs into many bumps and obstacles in his quest to make sure he gets the BB Gun, from his mom saying he’ll shoot his eye out to strict teachers.
A Christmas Story for many people has become this Christmas tradition to watch every year for nearly forty years. For my family, we make sure we watch it at least once every Christmas. A Christmas Story is a hilarious film that does well in telling a story about a young boy pushing to get what he wants. The movie never has a dull moment. It gave audiences so many iconic scenes and moments in a Christmas movie, from the leg lamp to the rabbit pajamas Ralphie got for Christmas.
The best part about A Christmas Story was the characters. Each character, whether they are a major or minor character, stands out. Ralphie, the main character, wants the Red Ryder BB Gun and imagines himself getting it, as well as other scenarios. Ralphie’s parents, played by Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin, are bizarre in their own ways. Ralphie’s dad is obsessed with the leg lamp that he won and is at war with the neighbor’s dogs. Ralphie’s mom claims Ralphie will shoot his eye out with a Red Ryder BB Gun and forces him to wear his embarrassing new pajamas.
A Christmas Story isn’t just about Ralphie getting his most desired gift either. Ralphie deals with other things in the movie. For example, he and his two friends have to deal with the local bully Scott Farkus. Before that, one of Ralphie’s friends dared his other friend to put his tongue on a pole and gets stuck. Ralphie’s mom is jealous of the lamp Ralphie’s dad won and is oblivious to how she feels about the whole thing.
One of my favorite moments is when Ralphie tells the mall Santa, who along with his elves is rude, that he wants the Red Ryder BB Gun, but Santa tells him he’ll shoot his eye out. The best moment of the film is when Ralphie finally gets his BB Gun. Of course, the happiness is ruined when Ralphie shoots his eye out or at least breaks his glasses. Ralphie luckily can convince his mom that they broke due to an icicle.
Another thing about A Christmas Story I like is it feels like one of the most realistic and relatable Christmas films ever made. Even though the film was made in 1983 and takes place in the 1940s, some of the things the characters go through still happen today. We all want that one specific gift each year for Christmas, whether we’re a kid or an adult. Kids still deal with bullies like Farkus. Friends still dare their other friends to do stupid things.
All in all, A Christmas Story is one of the best Christmas movies to have ever come out. It gave us so many classic moments. It has some of the best humor in any film, not just a Christmas film. It captures the period of the 1940s well. I highly recommend you check it out if you haven’t already. It’s on TBS every Christmas day, so check it out there.
Final Grade-A+
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