Am very glad about giving 'Call Me Claus' a chance. Expectations were mixed. Despite loving Christmas, many festive films and specials and liking Whoopi Goldberg and especially Nigel Hawthorne (the latter sadly in his last film) as actors, the advertising didn't look great and it did sound like pretty cheap and cheesy. There have been numerous instances where films don't look great from how it's advertised but manage to be good and victims of bad marketing (my exact experience with 'Lilo and Stitch' for example).
'Call Me Claus' is a long way from perfect, not one of the best Christmas films and it's not my definition of great. It was though a lot better than expected and an example of a film to not judge by its marketing, very like not judging a book by its cover. Goldberg is not at her best here, but the film does serve as a poignant reminder of how great an actor Hawthorne was and it is a not half bad last film for him. Although flawed, 'Call Me Claus' struck me as quite decent.
There are many good things here. The best thing about 'Call Me Claus' is Hawthorne, who is perfect in the title role. Playing it with a twinkling charm, gently humorous comic timing, a jovial air and poignancy. The supporting cast all do well if never on Hawthorne's level. The script has genuinely amusing and never crude or juvenile humour, truly moving pathos without going over the top on the sappiness and is also surprisingly relevant. The cynicism never gets mean-spirited. The characters didn't come over as dull, nor did they come over as annoying.
Story is very charming, warm-hearted and goes at a pace that doesn't feel routine or sluggish. The chemistry between the cast comes over as warm and natural. The music gives a nice festive cheer and at least fits.
Goldberg though left me a bit mixed. She has moments of sass but there are instances where she did seem to be mailing it in or holding back. 'Call Me Claus' does look as though it was made on a limited budget in a short period of time, with production values that could easily pass for a film made ten years or so prior.
Do think as well that the ending does require a number of attempts of swallowing, which is not easy to do for one that is rather unrealistic and too neat.
In conclusion, not bad at all and did find a lot to like about it. 6/10
