A Christmas Story

• Directed by Bob Clark
• November 18, 1983
• Based on Jean Shepherd’s 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash and his 1971 book Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters

A young boy attempts to convince the adults around him that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for him.

From my experience A Christmas Story is one of those movies that people tend to passionately embrace in a fashion similar to Animal House. They can quote it and it’s a touchstone for them. And if you are one of those that don’t quite get it they look at you like lobsters are coming out of your ears. I am one of those people that doesn’t quite get it. I can certainly see why people like it, but I can’t say I am passionate about it. 

I’m not saying it’s terrible. It certainly has plenty of good stuff in it and if you’ve ever had a Christmas that hasn’t gone quite right why would you not like this? I just don’t get why people are so passionate about this particular film. Director Bob Clark, who was behind the original Black Christmas as well Porky’s, along with Jean Shepherd crafted a family classic that has connected with the masses.

In this experience the viewer is an outsider watching all the particular quirks of the featured family. For the sake of the uninitiated the story largely revolves around young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his desperate desire to get a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun for Christmas. Interspersed with that are loosely related elements involving Ralphie’s family and other bits of life. What person hasn’t had that one Christmas gift they wanted above all others? The one that would make THAT particular Christmas memorable. And like any kid with a dream gift he is doing his best to let everyone that could get it for him know what will make him happiest on Christmas morning.

Ralphie is the child that many of us see ourselves as. Overlooked at points though not because he is unloved. The hectic nature of life forces other things to the forefront. He is doing his best to communicate when he wants but near as he can tell nobody is listening. He looks for the right moment and life blocks him.

Ralphie must contend with school bullies and indifferent adults. Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) is probably the archetype of the film bully, and I can see how he has influenced bullies in later films. Whether or not I’m a raving fan of A Christmas Story is beside the point as the effect it has had on people is what’s important.

There is the message in this that Christmas is about love, family, and memories and not necessarily about gifts or the Christmas dinner. That great gift is not even the most important part. Ralphie as narrator (Jean Shepherd) speaks with a certain level of nostalgia about it all.  Even the unexpected meal at the end is shown with fondness. Memories that last forever are where it is at.

Clark and company do a good job making the viewer feel like they are watching a slice of someone’s life at Christmas time. And it connects with the viewer because much of what happens here has happened to most everybody at one point or another. There are no strong laughs. There are just smiles. This is entertaining and it will ultimately make you feel good.

While I don’t rave passionately, I do certainly get why people like A Christmas Story. It’s a Christmas gone wrong but not terrible. Plenty of people have had holidays of any type like that. This may not be a must see for me but it’s a movie I would suggest everybody checks out at least once.