After missing this 2017 film, I agreed with my family: Considering the hot summer months and the rising political and social temperatures as well, an early visit to Christmas and the man who helped remind us what the holiday is all about was a pretty good idea (as in, why can't we think like this all year-round?)."The Man Who Invented Christmas" revolves around Charles Dickens (played by Dan Stevens of "Downton Abbey" fame) and the personal and creative journey he took in writing his beloved novel, "A Christmas Carol."Dickens, who wrote the book in 1843, intended it to "strike a sledge hammer blow" for the poor, an idea that sprang from a trek to Manchester, where he observed the plight of manufacturing workers, and from what he had seen at the Field Lane Ragged School.History tells us that his characters leapt to life in his consciousness and that he became so engrossed he "wept and laughed, and wept again," and that he "walked about the black streets of London fifteen or twenty miles a night when all sober folks had gone to bed."The film is sumptuous, the production values and photography lush and appealing and, when appropriately necessary, cautionary and convincing. Stevens is excellent as the driven author, moving from warmth to near creative madness without overdoing either, but Christopher Plummer as the imaginary Scrooge he conjures in his mind nearly steals the show, trading barbs and supplying the logic of someone who has forgotten the meaning of love and life.It's a special fascination to see how artists think and work, borrowing bits and pieces from the people and happenings around them to knit a separate entity that then stands alone by itself.I didn't find the film preachy or message-driven, though it's impossible in the current climate not to think that some of what's going on here and across Europe may not have seeped into the production. Art usually reflects the fervor of its time.Still in all, viewers across the political spectrum will find the film more than enjoyable and a welcome reminder that we should _ and can _ celebrate each other all the time, not just in advance of exchanging Christmas presents and knocking back a cold one.Adding some spice to the film is some clever humor delivered by actors top to bottom who clearly have the training and experience to bring a funny line into the winner's circle.It's said that "A Christmas Carol" reawakened the spirit of Christmas in both Britain and America.I think watching this movie does the same thing for viewers too no matter the time of year, and considering what we're experiencing now, that ain't a bad thing.

This film tells the story of Charles Dickens who is pressurised to come up with a story in just 6 weeks, to solve his mounting debt and restore his professional credibility.The story is more like a fantasy film, in which the famous author immerses himself in the story he is creating. It is interesting to see how the creative process come alive on the screen, as this is not a topic that is addressed often in films. However, it does not quite work for me, as I find it more like a highly psychotic experience in which Charles Dickens cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. Dan Stevens' good looks is not put into good use either. Fortunately, the supporting character Tara has quite a lot of charm, so at least there is something I like about the film.

Or, more exactly, a wise one. because it has humor and drama and bitter scenes and hopefull scenes. it is a genesis fantastic sketch of an admirable book but, in same measure, it is not a biographic film about Dickens being one. it is easy to define it as a delight. but it is a remember. about the life of a great witer. about the roots of a sort of perspective about life and people. and good kick to discover, again, the freshness of a work. the film has many virtues. it could be perceived as a charming easy film, like a comedy or a film for young public, colorfull and seductive and little superficial and unconvincing. but it is a real good film for to give to the public what it deserves. a brilliant cast and good performances. the fictional history of classic book, the difficulties of the existence of the writer. and something else. out of words. an answer, maybe. to the crisis of our time. short, it is , maybe, not the impressive film who you expect. but it is an usefull one. and that is the most significant virtue of it.

This is a quite dramatized section of Dickens' darkest life. He suffered a writer's block that every time when he tried to write something, the only thing he got was the drop of ink on an empty and void paper. He's so desperately to get a loan or advance to pay for his large family, servants and existing loans. He, like most of the people who are facing the financial crunches day in and day out, was in a critical threshold to declare bankruptcy and lost his literal and celebrity status. This film is an overly dramatized episode of Charles Dickens' middle age crisis. The leading role faithfully followed the exaggerated script to play the Dickens role, on and on, showing comic and pathetic gestures and facial expressions. The constant embarrass and awkward moments making the viewing a very uncomfortable experience that needed lot of patience to see through the typical exaggerated English banters and pretentiousness. I just felt disconnected with no empathy to this guy's messy financial situation and his daily struggles among his peers. There's nothing in this film that clicked my enthusiasm toward this character and the storyline. A very boring moment of my life.