by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.)
Some of the best handcrafted gifts are made with loving attention to detail. They also carry a sense that creating them was fun.
And that’s exactly what Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is–a handcrafted gift of a Christmas musical.
It opens with a young girl’s sense of wonder and magic.
That theme carries through with nontraditional characters, warmhearted spectacle and top-notch performances with a lot of inspiration.
(Royalty-free image by Anastasia538 from Pixabay.)
The plotline is a familiar one: love and redemption at Christmastime. But the all-Black principal cast takes the audience on a new journey, through the world of Jeronicus Jangle, inventor extraordinaire.
When we first meet him, Jeronicus is at the top of his game. He designs incredible new toys, every Christmas, that evoke a sense of wonder. His customers can’t wait to see what he’ll invent next. And between loving his work and loving his wife and daughter, who support his efforts, his life is a happy one.
But ambition and envy emerge, in the form of Gustafson, an apprentice who wants to be Jeronicus but can’t quite manage to do so.
Keegan-Michael Key, as Gustafson, gives his character dimension normally lacking in traditional Christmas-movie villains. Gustafson’s ambition and pride lead him astray in a more true-to-life fashion than a stereotypical “bad guy'” perspective. He isn’t just “bad” because the script says so–we see him wrestle with his aspirations versus his better nature. But ultimately, he makes the wrong choice.
And the results shatter Jeronicus’ life. Now, no one can reach through his self-isolation and depression–or can they?
(Royalty-free image by bluartpapeleria from Pixabay.)
Set in a largely fantasy-Victorian setting, Jingle Jangle is a visual treat. Unexpected touches show up everywhere.
The storybook which the grandmother opens, operates with magical gears and contraptions. Jeronicus’ lab and emporium is whirring with spectacular creations. At several points in the story, equations and formula appear in lights, communicating the excitement of research and new ideas.
Even the sparkly red gown which Phylicia Rashad’s warm and nonconventional grandmother character wears, is out of the ordinary. (At first, this costume choice seems surprising. A sequinned outfit to read her grandchildren a Christmas story? But by the end of the movie, the costume seems perfect for her character. I won’t do a “spoiler” by explaining why!)
(Royalty-free image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay.)
I particularly loved the strong female characters . Jeronicus’ young granddaughter, Journey (newcomer Madalen Mills), displays engineering talents and critical-thinking skills that may very well inspire young girls to think, “wow, I can do that too!” Phylicia Rashad’s grandmother is the forward-thinking, encouraging grandparent who could launch any child towards achieving their dreams. And Lisa Davina Phillips’ Ms. Johnston knows what she wants, and isn’t shy about saying so.
The music? A variety of moods and styles, well-fitted to each character. Young Jeronicus (Justin Cornwell) sings an uptempo R&B number as he showcases his new creation. Ms. Johnston belts out a bluesy number as she makes an unsuccessful play for Jeronicus’ affection, and Anika Noni Rose, as Jeronicus’ estranged daughter Jessica, sings a hopeful and poignant ballad that may well leave a lump in your throat.
Favorite moments, for me, included the scene where a despondent older Jeronicus (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) does his best to protect his now-pawnshop from Ms. Johnston and her singing, dancing trio; Ricky Martin’s superegotistical “Don Juan” doll’s preening musical number; and, of course, the robot, “Buddy 3000” and his actions at the film’s climas.
Five (Christmas) stars and a candy cane to this one!