In LAST CHRISTMAS Kate is a  young woman who is going through difficult  times.  She doesn’t like living with her parents and does couch surfing  which proves unsuccessful. Even her sister show her the door.

The one big positive in her job. Kate works in a year round Christmas Shop where she is called Elf, as she is dressed as an elf, and her boss is called Santa. Very cute! Santa sometimes puts pressure on Elf because she thinks she is a bit of a day dreamer. Elf is good with the customers as long as she maintains her focus.

As Christmas approaches, two men, at different times, come into the shop and send their hearts a flutter. Santa tarries with a sophisticated, middle aged man.  Elf goes for Tom, a sensitive, new aged guy  who she begins to hang out with.  Have Santa and Elf found  true love?!

LAST CHRISTMAS is well directed by Paul Feig from a story by Emma Thompson and Greg Wise with a screenplay by Thompson and Bryony Kimmings.

Emilia Clarke is charming and beguiling as Kate. As well as straight acting Clarke also gets to show off her voice as Kate fancies herself as an actress and  auditions fo r some parts in musicals.

Emma Thompson  plays Kate’s over the top Croatian mother Petra in a  lightly comic performance.

Michelle Yeoh is a delight as the good natured Santa who is like a mother figure to Kate. Yeoh has a radiant stage presence.

Henry Golding is very credible as the soft natured Tom who goes after Kate and together they have some  interesting adventures.

The film’s title comes from the George Michael song which is played during the movie.

Yes it is inevitably a little schmaltzy. Still this was an entertaining, warm film LAST CHRISTMAS is screening in cinemas now.