Consider This from NPR – Episode: What Makes a True Christmas Movie?

Release Date: December 25, 2024

In this festive episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Scott Detrow delves into a perennial debate that has captured pop culture’s attention: What truly defines a Christmas movie? Featuring insightful contributions from NPR producer and guest Mark Rivers, the discussion explores the nuances that separate quintessential holiday films from those that merely bask in seasonal settings.

The Die Hard Debate

The episode kicks off by addressing the controversial classification of the 1988 action film Die Hard as a Christmas movie. Host Scott Detrow introduces the topic by highlighting Die Hard’s setting during a Christmas party and its enduring debate among fans and critics alike.

Scott Detrow [00:00]:
"Die Hard does take place at a Christmas party. Is that fact enough to make it a Christmas movie?"

Mark Rivers enters the fray with strong opinions, asserting that Die Hard does not fit the traditional mold of a Christmas film.

Mark Rivers [00:36]:
"No, it's rubbish."

Despite differing views, both hosts acknowledge the widespread discourse surrounding the film’s holiday credentials, referencing appearances by figures like Bruce Willis and high-profile debates on platforms like CNN and the Rich Eisen Show.

Scott Detrow [00:37]:
"Bruce Willis himself tried to settle this question at one point at his roast on Comedy Central."

Defining a Christmas Movie: The Three-Tier System

To break down the complexities of categorizing Christmas movies, producer Mark Rivers introduces an innovative three-tier classification system designed to objectively evaluate what makes a film embody the spirit of the holidays.

Mark Rivers [03:48]:
"Ultimately, a holiday movie can be anything you want it to be."

Tier One: Central to Christmas

The first tier comprises films where Christmas is integral to the storyline—so much so that removing it would fundamentally alter the film's essence. Classic examples include A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and Elf.

Mark Rivers [04:48]:
"If there are actual residents of the North Pole in your movie, that's in the first tier of Christmas movies."

These movies not only incorporate Christmas in their titles but also embed holiday themes deeply within their narratives, making the season indispensable to their identity.

Tier Two: Christmas-Influenced Plot

Moving to the second tier, Rivers explains that Christmas elements instigate or influence the plot but aren't essential for the story’s progression. Films like Home Alone and Die Hard fall into this category.

Mark Rivers [05:00]:
"Home Alone's a really good example of that."

While Home Alone revolves around a family’s Christmas vacation and the protagonist’s home isolation during the holidays, the central conflict—Kevin defending his home from burglars—could feasibly occur outside the Christmas season. Similarly, Die Hard uses the Christmas party as a backdrop, but the core action-driven plot remains intact without the holiday setting.

Mark Rivers [06:52]:
"I call Die Hard a tier two Christmas movie. It could be almost any work party that John McClane gets invited to and he gets trapped aside and has to fight."

This tier acknowledges that while Christmas adds flavor and context, the primary narrative could seamlessly transition to another time of year.

Tier Three: Christmas as Atmosphere

The third and final tier encompasses films where Christmas serves merely as an atmospheric backdrop, enhancing the setting without directly influencing the plot. Examples include Eyes Wide Shut and The Apartment.

Mark Rivers [07:03]:
"Tier three is where Christmas is more ornament, it's just atmosphere."

This tier reflects the reality for many viewers who experience Christmas as part of their lives without it being the focal point of storytelling. It resonates with the everyday experience of balancing holiday festivities with regular routines.

Mark Rivers [07:53]:
"I think the third tier is the most relatable tier, I think, for the average person, because that's where we live, where Christmas is often in the background."

Personal Favorites and Seasonal Traditions

Mark Rivers shares his personal preferences within the three-tier system, highlighting films he consistently watches every December.

Mark Rivers [08:16]:
"One of the keys to [Elf] is that only the Elf character played by Will Ferrell actually realizes he's in a Christmas movie. The rest of the cast is more like we are, where they're just trying to make it through the day, make it through work."

He emphasizes how Elf fits neatly into the first tier by centralizing Christmas in its narrative, enhancing its relatability and heartfelt sentiment.

Reflecting on more personal favorites, Rivers mentions The Apartment as a comforting seasonal watch, appreciating its cozy setting despite its complex undertones.

Mark Rivers [08:38]:
"It's one of those movies that I always turn to for comfort around the holiday season."

Scott Detrow adds his own observation, drawing parallels between Elf and other fantastical films like Lord of the Rings, suggesting that the magical elements often associated with Christmas movies contribute to their enduring appeal.

Scott Detrow [09:03]:
"The kind of annoying Central Park Rangers plotline of Elf is just a Lord of the Rings reference of the Nazgul, because those movies came out around the time."

Nostalgia and Intergenerational Watching

The conversation touches upon the role of nostalgia in defining beloved Christmas movies. Rivers points out that many such films are passed down through generations, becoming a shared cultural touchstone that reinforces familial bonds during the holiday season.

Mark Rivers [10:29]:
"It's a movie that you pass down to your kids, right? Your niece and nephew, for sure."

This intergenerational viewing fosters a sense of continuity and shared tradition, further cementing these films' statuses as quintessential Christmas movies.

Conclusion: Embracing the Complexity of Christmas Films

By the episode’s end, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what differentiates a true Christmas movie from one that merely sports seasonal aesthetics. Mark Rivers’ three-tier system offers a structured yet flexible framework that accommodates a wide range of films, recognizing both traditional and unconventional holiday narratives.

Scott Detrow [07:57]:
"Mark, thanks as always."

Through engaging dialogue and thoughtful analysis, "Consider This" not only addresses the Die Hard debate but also enriches listeners' appreciation for the diverse ways Christmas can be portrayed in cinema.

Produced by Gabriel Sanchez and Mark Rivers
Edited by Adam Raney and Conor Donovan
Executive Producer: Sam Mi Yenigun

This episode was part of NPR's effort to explore and categorize the essence of holiday storytelling, providing listeners with both entertainment and a deeper critical framework for understanding beloved Christmas classics.