Film critics and audiences expecting some early festive cheer from Gurinder Chadha's latest offering, Christmas Karma, are in for a bitter disappointment. This new cinematic take on Charles Dickens' perennial classic, A Christmas Carol, has been branded as leaden, joyless, and about as welcome as a dead rodent in the seasonal eggnog.
A Sour Seasonal Offering
Directed by the filmmaker behind Bend It Like Beckham, the movie represents a cynical and unconvincing entry into the Christmas film genre. Kunal Nayyar of The Big Bang Theory fame delivers a lifeless performance as the modern-day Scrooge, Mr Sood. The character's backstory is rooted in the expulsion of the Ugandan south Asian community by Idi Amin, with his childhood poverty fuelling a lifelong bitterness and obsession with money.
Set in London, Mr Sood is a grasping moneylender, a business he ran with his now-deceased partner, Jacob Marley, played by Hugh Bonneville. The film follows his petulant meanness towards his nephew, employees, and even a cheerful cabbie played by Danny Dyer, before he is visited by the requisite spectral guides.
Ghosts of Christmas Present a Weak Vision
The spirits of Christmas past, present, and future are portrayed by Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, and Boy George respectively. However, their interventions fail to inject any magic or conviction into the proceedings. One of the film's most jarring missteps occurs during the visit to the Cratchit family's humble home.
Instead of a depiction of brutal poverty, the film places the Cratchits in a charming, multi-coloured house in the highly desirable neighbourhood of Notting Hill. The choice undermines the core message of financial struggle, suggesting that Bob Cratchit could solve his money woes simply by selling his presumably valuable property.
The Verdict on This Festive Flop
Arriving in UK and Irish cinemas from 14 November and in Australia from 27 November, Christmas Karma has been described as inducing a pre-emptive overload of Yuletide nausea. For those seeking a successful and heart-warming twist on Dickens' tale, critics suggest revisiting the version with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Michael Caine, as this modern update offers little in the way of seasonal spirit or entertainment value.
