To say that 2020 was a trying year is the understatement of the millennium.
March ushered in the deadliest global pandemic in recent memory. Summer marked the boiling point of racial injustice in modern American society. Fall found the entire nation participating in the most divisive and heated election in our nation’s history.
It’s no wonder we’re all feeling incredibly apprehensive after all we’ve been through.
One thing that helps me feel better during times of distress and uncertainty is having a Christmas movie marathon.
There’s just something about the overabundance of holiday cheer and wintery scenery that takes me out of my anxiety spiral and helps me reach a place of calm.
The Polar Express is my all-time favorite Christmas movie closely followed by Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. I’m also partial to comedic classics like Christmas with the Kranks and Deck the Halls.
This year, however, I fell absolutely in love with Netflix’s Jingle Jangle, which tells the tale of eccentric inventor and toymaker, Jeronicus Jangle. An original Christmas story, this movie has a lot to offer when it comes to holiday entertainment.
The Diverse Cast/ Themes of Inclusivity
Most films usually have a homogenous cast where everyone shares the same racial identity or even have similar features. Jingle Jangle, on the other hand, is heavily diverse with its main characters largely African American actors and people of color. This is definitely a plus because more diversity means more representation.
I also enjoyed the fact that the cast wore natural hairstyles like afros and braids. As a child, it was hard for me to resonate with most fictional characters since they didn’t look like me at all. It was even harder because I had no one to look up to when it came to my hair. I spent most of my childhood thinking my hair was just this ratty mess that I didn’t know what to do with. Reminiscing on those feelings now, I realize that Jingle Jangle excels at showing the world that wearing your natural isn’t something to be ashamed of.
The Scenery/Aesthetic
When you hear the phrase “Christmas movie”, you often think of snowy mountains, Santa Claus, and Christmas tree forests. While Jingle Jangle has a few of these elements, it also creates its own holiday scenery. Most of the film takes place in a quaint Victorian-esque town called Cobblestone. The streets are constantly bustling with people and the bulidings always seem to have this warm glow to them.
Jeronicus’ toy factory, however, looks like something out of a futuristic steampunk wonderland complete with intricate toys and dazzling inventions.
Adding to the spirited atmosphere is the bright, African-inspired Victorian clothing that the characters wear. It seems as though each of the main characters has their own signature color palette which is a nice touch. What’s even more fascinating is the fact that the creative team was able to mesh all these different elements together to create one cohesive land of magic.
Final Thoughts
Even you’re not a huge fan of Christmas movies, Jingle Jangle is bound to jingle its way into your heart. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a magical film that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
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