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20
Dec
Tinsel Town: Is the movie a Christmas cracker or Christmas turkey?
There's no doubt the people of Knaresborough love Tinsel Town.
The film, which was released on December 5, follows Hollywood actor Bradley Mack (Kiefer Sutherland) as he joins a Yorkshire Christmas pantomime in hopes that it will save his career from ruin.
At an early screening, held on December 2, Knaresborough residents gave the film raving reviews. Mayor, Helen Westmancoat, said:
Tinsel Town was really excellent. I was so pleased to see so much of Knaresborough and its going to be a real boost for the town
It's fair to say that the people of Knaresborough were bound to love it. Will it, though, go down as a Christmas great?
The Stray Ferret has pulled together the views of people who's job it is to watch and recommend movies.
Hollie Richardon, assistant TV editor at The Guardian, spoke with the stars of the film and said “Tinsel Town is a feelgood family comedy” in which “Sutherland gamely leans” into his role.
She added that Foggin’s film is
a very sweet call to arms to save pantomime – and a “booo!” to anyone who sneers at it
Sarah Oliver in the Daily Mail was equally upbeat about the movie:
It’s funny and charming, with just enough snark to stop it being too sweet. ‘You’re not in Hollywood now, Buttons,’ warn the Ugly Sisters. ‘Has anyone seen your career? Oh, it’s behind you!’
It works brilliantly because you’re watching Sutherland, a massive talent, unleashing his alpha energy on being Bradley Mack dancing with candy canes.
Frank Scheck, from The Hollywood Reporter, offered a less flattering view from across the pond.
Writing that “Sutherland makes it all work, delivering a thoroughly winning performance that makes you buy into the overall hokum”, Scheck added that the ending may leave you feeling "overstuffed as if you’d gorged at a Christmas banquet".
He said that Tinsel Town requires "a significant suspension of disbelief".
Seriously? Don't all Christmas films require this? The Stray Ferret feels this is not a valid reason to criticise a Christmas movie.
Although Tinsel Town is obviously not a firm favourite with Mr Scheck, it most certainly earned the approval of The Telegraph.
Featuring in its ‘Five new films to stream at Christmas’ Gabriel Tate said that Foggin’s film is "more fun and insightful than your average festive flick".
He added that this family friendly watch is "knowing, sweet and often very funny".
Ian Youngs, a culture reporter at the BBC, added some festive cheer to his review, awarding Tinsel Town four out of five Christmas trees.
He said "It's the type of film that would be a bit naff at any other time of year, but is a lot of fun at Christmas"
That is the spirit!
So those are some of the critics views. The verdict is also in on websites that pull together both the critics and also individual people's reviews to give the film an overall rating.
The well-known TV and film review website, Rotten Tomatoes, awarded Tinsel Town tale a mere 42% on their ‘Tomatometer’, similar to IMDb’s 5.2/10 rating.
In comparison, the well-loved family favourite, Arthur Christmas, was awarded 93% by Rotten Tomatoes and 7.1/10 by IMDb.
What do we feel about that? ...Booo!!!
Kiefer Sutherland as Bradley Mack in Tinsel Town. Credit: Sky UK
Have you watched the movie? What do you think? Please use the Comments box below as we'd love to hear whether it was a Christmas cracker or a Christmas turkey.
Tinsel Town in now available to stream on Sky Cinema and Now TV (subscription required).
You can read more of our coverage of Hollywood’s time in Knaresborough and exclusive interviews from the London premiere just click on the links below.
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