The Man Who Invented Christmas

Based on the true story of how Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol", THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS is an enjoyable holiday film for the whole family.

While I know Dickens classic tale inside out and count its many film adaptions among my holiday favorites, I was genuinely surprised by the many facts I learned watching the film.

A clever blend of fantasy, author struggles, family drama and Christmas warmth, this one surprised me.

Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Beauty and the Beast) is excellent as Dickens. He's in the middle of a massive remodel in the Victorian London home, and hot off three flops in his last three books.

Christmas is approaching, his loans are all coming due and he's got a case of writer's block as thick as the London fog.

Screenwriter Susan Coyne, basing her screenplay on Les Standiford's novel, creates a clever tale, as the events in Dickens life line up to inspire the story of Scrooge, Marley and the most eventful Christmas Eve in literature.

We see moments that inspire and the people around Dickens that quote phrases that will soon become part of legend.

Justin Edwards is great as Charles best friend and agent and Jonathan Pryce (Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies) is excellent as Dickens father, John. Their history is complicated and as the film unwinds, their history emerges as a primary motivator for some key characters and events around Scrooge.

Stevens and Pryce play off each other incredibly well and some of their verbal battles really leap off the screen.

As Dickens begins to imagine Scrooge, he materializes in the form of the always superb, late Christopher Plummer (All the Money in the World, The Sound of Music). Plummer inhabits Ebenezer down to the slightest hand movement and snide facial expression. 87 years old at the time of filming, Plummer was the oldest actor to ever play the miser in a major film production.

Soon, all the characters surround Dickens in his writing study.

It's a smart plot device, well used. The film morphs into an enjoyable blend of comedy and drama as the classic tale unfolds on screen, often mirroring the events in Dickens life that inspire it.

Morfydd Clark (Crawl) is another stand out in a large and well cast ensemble as Charles' wife Kate. She may be quiet and supportive, but she's got a lot of things to say when cornered and they're well delivered (and much needed).

Dickens created the entire story in just six weeks, the most influential Christmas tale of all time. When it landed in London bookstores in December of 1843, it sold out before the holiday and became an all-time best selling book.

It also elevated the spirit and importance of the Christmas holiday to new heights in the UK and America.

Dickens fans will find many, many moments & people that clearly inspired his future writings.

Production values are first rate.

You think you know everything you need to know about Charles Dickens and "A Christmas Carol"?

Bah humbug! You don't know anything yet!

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS is an enjoyable holiday film, woven with holiday cheer, London Christmas atmosphere and family drama that packs a punch.

It gets three Ho Ho Ho's and a very solid B.