And there is a lot to discover. The teacher Paul, disliked by the students (he was nominated for the role of Giamatti), is only a seemingly boring person who, for lack of a better idea for life, chooses to torment the students. In turn, 15-year-old Angus (Dominic Sessa), who causes a lot of trouble and is threatened with expulsion from school for bad behavior, is far from a spoiled, thoughtless brat.
“Winter Solstice” is the best Christmas movie ever!
Due to a series of unfortunate events, two characters so different at first glance, together with the cook Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), have to spend Christmas together. Paul has no one to go back to for the holidays, Angus’s plans have fallen apart, and Mary suffers from the loss of her son, who recently died in the Vietnam War. From such a combination, instead of magical time, you can expect a real disaster. But instead we get a lesson.
A lesson in understanding and kindnessthat we so often miss. A bittersweet story about appearances and prejudices, which most often result from our fears, traumas and growing frustrations – it is no different in the case of the characters we watch on screen. They also close themselves off to people who are different in age, social status, material status or views, resulting from difficult experiences. That is why the viewer naturally comes to identify with the characters. It is also an instructive story about loss – of dreams, ambitions and loved ones – but it shows that no action or event from the past defines us forever.
This is cinema that has no expiration date
“Winter Solstice” cleverly intersperses sharp retorts with sad reflections and shows how we lose ourselves in the belief of our own infallibility. The film wants to convince the viewer how much they can lose with this approach. It is a production that sensitizes people, but it does it so subtly that those alienated from the world and distrustful will not feel attacked, but understood and cared for.
The chemistry between the actors is an invaluable production value, and Paul Giamatti is absolutely convincing in his role. The atmosphere of the 1970s is emphasized not only by the scenery, but also by techniques and subdued colors I haven’t heard such natural dialogues written with exceptional precision in the cinema for a long time. We are glad that there is space for the somewhat outdated “Winter Solstice” in contemporary cinema, because this production will never expire.
“Winter Solstice” in Polish cinemas from January 26!
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
