Every Christmas, we look forward to another romcom to snuggle up to and/or cry about. Last Christmas tries very hard to be this year’s Love Actually but, despite having an exceptional cast, a great writer and directors, doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of the 2003 blockbuster romance.

Last Christmas is directed by Paul Feig, and written by Bryony Kimmings and Emma Thompson, who co-wrote the story with her husband, Greg Wise.

Starring Emilia Clarke as a hapless Christmas store worker who is down on her luck, the film is based on the Wham song of the same name, which makes the ending incredibly predictable and the would-be twist is pretty obvious from the beginning.

Kate (Clarke) works as an elf in a year-round Christmas store and nothing ever seems to go right for her until a chance meeting with a mysterious and devastatingly handsome man (Henry Golding) for whom she falls.

There are some truly funny moments, particularly from Kate’s boss Santa (Michelle Yeoh) and her Yugoslavian mother, played wonderfully well by Emma Thompson. But the plot just didn’t make me fall in love.

Spruiked as including the songs of George Michael, this aspect seemed to be somewhat dotted about the film as an afterthought and was a little disappointing. Emilia Clarke’s rendition of ‘Last Christmas’ was gorgeous, though.

Last Christmas is a nice film that is worth a watch if you are looking for something sweet, light and funny to watch. It doesn’t quite achieve what it’s trying to, but it’s lovely.

3 stars

By Libby Parker