The Knight Before Christmas

The Knight Before Christmas (2019) - Netflix

Reviewed by L.F. Sue

I wish to start by saying that usually these movies blend together, however this movie was a pleasant surprise and therefore stands out. For one it was more of a rom-com that happened to take place during Christmas, and as such had more focus on the relationship for once. To be specific, it focused on our valiant Knight, Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse). He is transported from 14^th Century England to present day Ohio, sent on a quest by an “old crone” (Ella Kenion). Really they need to come up with a better name as crone has way too many negative connotations and certainly Mrs. Clause didn’t appreciate the name. We actually learn more about Sir Cole throughout this movie, making the charming Brooke (Vanessa Hudgins) more the “bland companion” than the IMDB summary and title picture leads one to believe. It is Sir Cole who is sent forth on journey of self discovery to conquer his weakness, of which at the start, he knows not what his weakness is.

While watching the opening scenes in 14^th century England it occurs to me to question, 'did they celebrate Christmas?'  Traditional Christmas celebrations, as we know them, apparently started in 19^th Century England, however during Medieval Times Christmas was a prominent holiday and increased in significance since King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066. By the Middle ages there was feasting and caroling, however gifts were exchanged on New Year’s Day. Thank you to wiki for enlightening us, and never let it be said that we didn’t attempt to teach you something. So with this fish out of water tale, naturally hijinks ensue. Sir Cole is hungry, and promptly starts a fire and attempts to catch and roast(?) a skunk. Despite his unfamiliarity with 21^st century life (food, technology, and slang) he manages to work a TV remote brilliantly, which I must say I don’t view as a super intuitive piece of technology. There are people out there now who don’t get the concept of clicking the Cable button to move the channels, but yet the TV button is needed to adjust the volume. And note to Brooke, I wouldn’t let him drive my car. Amnesiac, mental illness or 14^th century knight, none suggests good defensive driving. Aside from driving, Sir Cole proves a quick study of culture at least, and after just 1 night of TV watching has picked up on American dialect and modern slang, although he chooses to not use them often. 

Which brings me now to the Christmas movie drinking game.  In the past I use the drinking game to compare movies, mostly because I found it hard to differentiate between them. In this particular case I would like to ADD things to the Christmas movie drinking game. Cause this is Netflix- and they are game changers. One of the movies Cole watches during his modern day education is Netflix’s Holiday In the Wild (this is confirmed by IMDB, I do put in the research people) Also name checked is Aldovia, which for those at home in the know…is the fake country that the Christmas Prince Trilogy takes place in (can’t wait for Dec 5!) So take a shot for shameless self promotion. Regarding obvious product placement, Alexa is plugged during the movie, which had me confused as I thought Amazon was the enemy of Netflix, but tis the season of joy and caring. Product placement FOR EVERYTHING WILLING TO PAY!  I take it Subaru didn’t quite cough up enough money. And there was no scene with Cole working a telephone or smartphone, cause that would have been hilarious. Consider ourselves disappointed Apple and Samsung.

I will oblige to take a cursory glance down the drinking game list. There are dead relatives but what was more critical was Sir Cole’s plight. His parents were alive, but he was sent away to apprentice as a knight at a very young age and only visited family during Christmas. There is a Christmas tree scene, and he does call her fake tree a mess, but it also served to show that back in the day I guess people just had more skills? I was surprised to then see modern guy also chop down Christmas tree with one cut, something I am highly suspicious of. Sir Cole is a knight after all, and has had much training in these things. Sir Cole also worked as a baker (butcher, and candlestick maker he said) and wasn’t a fan of the mass produced bread sold in the super market. So instead of a cookie baking scene, we are treated to bread baking which isn’t necessarily traditional, but it was his tradition. Sir Cole is a huge fan of hot chocolate, and grasps consumerism (and therefore capitalism) pretty easily insisting on jar after jar of this deliciousness. There is plenty of snow, Christmas songs, and a few near miss kisses. Speaking of songs- no less than Sir Cole himself wrote and performed that new track "Before Christmas" Do they get an extra shot for original music AND performance? And regarding magic, one could say the whole thing was magic, how else can you explain a 14^th century knight in 21^st century Ohio?

But for all the boxes the movie checks, it also does something most of these movies don’t, it evokes the spirit of Christmas. Anything is possible, if only you believe. All too often what is possible in these movies is simply getting a man. Perhaps along that journey there is some shutting down of some evil corporation whose expansion will RUIN a small town, its people, along with the holiday. At most there is joy spread to long forgotten family and friends, but mostly these movies are about getting a man. And to Brooke’s credit, for 80% of the movie, she really isn’t into getting a man. She tells her student Paige that some guy isn’t worth bad grades. If school aged readers learn nothing else from all of this, please do take away this one very critical point, NO GUY IS WORTH BAD GRADES. I am unclear on how old Paige is, or what grade Brooke teaches, the movie didn’t feel it necessary to give me those details, but I do wish the ending with Paige was more adamant, Paige must do things for herself, most definitely things like schoolwork. Grayson's (young Paige's ex-boyfriend) of the world will come and go, but an education is the main way of getting ahead in life (note I didn’t say the only way) for those of us blessed without looks, money, or a particular talent. 

Sir Cole gets concerned as the deadline of Christmas Eve approaches and he still hasn’t fulfilled his quest. Over the course of the movie he has committed several acts of valor, which aren’t to be minimized, but he tells Brooke it isn’t enough. He doesn’t know what he needs to do to get home, but saving a little girl’s life or spreading joy and kindness weren’t it. Which really is too bad, because I thought the acts of valor were the highlights of the movie. In a modern world that increasing feels like a dumpster fire, it is nice this movie reminds us what Christmas is truly about- compassion, helping others, and kindness. Sadly Christmas really isn’t about getting a man, it is about empathy. Thank you to this movie for reminding us of that, if only in the end for Sir Cole to realize his quest was love. And his weakness? That he realized it too late.