This joke-filled caper of a Muslim-Christian family going on a Lapland holiday after an unexpected bonus will leave your cockles well and truly warmed
A
one-off Christmas special must have the following traditional ingredients to be entitled to the name. First and most vitally, it must have a grumpy character to soften over the hour. (And it must be an hour – 75 minutes, tops. Anything longer and we’re out of letting-the-children-stay-up-and-watch-as-a-treat territory and that disqualifies it as a contender. Yes it’s a hangover from the days when television was broadcast at fixed points, instead of thrown into the digital ragbag to be pulled out at any time, but what is tradition if not such harkings-back? Come on).
Second, there must be snow. I know the planet is burning now, but please see above re tradition and harkings-back.
Third, the main parts must be played by great actors throwing their all into a family show and making it work despite a preposterous plot with a particularly unbelievable inciting incident that will be loudly objected to by both the very youngest and very oldest member (these being the most pedantic and exacting viewers) of every household’s audience, before the cosy story – its edges limned with melancholy – works its magic upon them and a blissful silence, interrupted only by the munching of Quality Street and muttered reminders not to put the wrappers back in the box, descends.
