Women in Film: A Christmas Break Guide
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Merry Christmas to you and yours. We hope this post finds you restful and light (but if it doesn’t, that’s okay too).
Christmas has deep roots in Christianity, with origins as a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. Today, it is still that celebration for many. For others, it’s a more general celebration of love and comfort. As with many holidays we cover at The Nelle, light is featured prominently during Christmas, from lighted evergreen trees to outdoor fairy lights to candlelit feasts.
Another theme of this holiday is the busyness of travel and parties and shopping and prepping. With this in mind, and in light of the varying traditions and joy levels this holiday brings, we want to lend some comfort. It’s been our theme this December, and we continue it with our Women in Film guide for your Christmas break.
To see our previous Women in Film picks, check out Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV & Part V. And then read on for our picks, we’ve got some solid gold gems for you. Plus, head to our link in bio for a fresh @abbyyemm playlist.
We wish you a merry and peaceful Christmas, Nellies!
The Great Szn 2
(Hulu series) We highlighted The Great in our very first Women in Film roundup, and we are here to highlight it again. We didn’t think it possible, but season two of The Great raises the bar and the joy beyond season one. It continues its genre-bending, anti-historical bent through the story of Catherine the Great. This season features fighting and plotting and dark humor at every turn.
Only Murders in the Building
(Hulu series) Only Murders in the Building is a delightful romp of a show, starring the unlikely threesome of Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short. The three actors have instant chemistry and Selena is captivating as a young amateur sleuth. The show is a modern whodunit about three condo neighbors and true crime lovers who find themselves in the midst of one.
Maid
(Netflix series) Maid, a TV series on Netflix, is both sad and incredibly compelling. The series stars Margaret Qualley as a single mother who works to make ends meet after escaping an abusive relationship. Andie MacDowell also stars in the series, playing her bipolar artist mother.
Emily in Paris Szn 2
(Netflix series) You need a bit of silliness? Joy? Press play on Emily in Paris season two. It’s a romantic comedy in series form, and Lily Collins is captivating as its lead. Plus, its backdrop of Paris is a character in itself, with chic charm at every turn.
Reservation Dogs
(Hulu series) Reservation Dogs is a Hulu series centered on four Indigenous teenagers who steal, rob and save in order to reach their goal: to escape to the golden dreamland of California. There are capers and jokes and real-world insight into Indigenous life.
A Castle for Christmas
(Netflix film) Give us Brooke Shields all day, every day. We recently listened to her interview on our go-to podcast and it gave us life. Which is what she brings to A Castle for Christmas, a classic romantic comedy. The film’s plot is blithe and fast-moving, with Brooke playing a scandalized bestselling author who escapes to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle -- and the grumpy duke who owns it.
Anne with an E
(Netflix series) Anne with an E is a lovely retelling of the classic book series, Anne of Green Gables, but in Netflix series form. The premise is a coming-of-age story about a young orphan – Anne – who is seeking love, acceptance and her place in the world. This is a wonderful choice to watch with kids, as it has honorable lessons embedded within it, without being cloying.
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