Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Film / LastChristmas

Go To

OR

Added: 868

Changed: 21

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* LipstickLesbian: [[spoiler:Marta and Alba]], her roommate, act or dress no differently than the straight women in the film, letting it be a surprise that they're also in a relationship.



* ReallyGetsAround: Kate is pretty promiscuous at the start, having casual sex with different guys in quick succession. Judging by what Santa says, it's her usual habit around Christmas.



* ShellShockedVeteran: Though it isn't evident at the beginning, Kate is revealed as having been very deeply traumatized by her near death from a heart condition, which necessitated a transplant. Despite surviving, she's felt depressed ever since, and even tells Tom it might have been better if she'd died. Her parents appear to know her cheerful, snarky demeanor is a facade and worry about her, though aren't aware she's ''that'' depressed. She starts to get better in the course of the film.



* SourOutsideSadInside: Beneath her abrasive facade, Kate is scared and under pressure to be "normal" [[BrokenBird despite all her trauma.]]

to:

* SourOutsideSadInside: Beneath her abrasive facade, Kate is scared and under pressure to be "normal" [[BrokenBird [[ShellShockedVeteran despite all her trauma.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The film opens with a title card reading "Yugoslavia 1999", despite the fact the nation was broken up by 1992 as a result of UsefulNotes/TheYugoslavWars and given that Kate's family are Croatians who moved to the UK following the wars. Though some would justify the date on that it takes place in what was FR Yugoslavia (later renamed Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, before splitting up three years later), this looks quite unlikely.

to:

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The film opens with a title card reading "Yugoslavia 1999", despite the fact the nation was broken up by 1992 as a result of UsefulNotes/TheYugoslavWars and given that Kate's family are Croatians who moved to the UK following the wars. Though some would justify the date on that it takes place in what was FR Yugoslavia (later renamed Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, before splitting up three years later), this looks quite unlikely.her mother later says they come from Croatia (which had been independent since 1991). It's also unclear why they would emigrate later "because of the wars" when Croatia had been at peace for four years in 1999, after having won its independence in 1995.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** In the intro, young Marta is seen checking out/smiling at a choir girl with a look that indicates more than just friendliness. Her father notices this, but doesn't say anything, perhaps explaining [[EverybodyKnewAlready his easy acceptance]] of [[OpenMindedParent her girlfriend]] at the end of the film.
Tabs MOD

Removed: 121

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* {{Adorkable}}: Tom's constant goofing around and jokes are endearing, even if Kate is playfully annoyed by it at first.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* HomeEarlySurprise: The opening scene has Kate spending the night with a man who lets her use his shower while he leaves the apartment. While taking a shower, the man's girlfriend suddenly shows up to shout surprise while removing her clothes, only to find Kate in there.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ChristianityIsCatholic: Averted, the opening scene takes place in an Eastern Orthodox Church. Possibly even inverted considering Kate's family is apparently Croatian, who are mostly Roman Catholic.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[foldercontrol]]



!!''Last Christmas'' contains examples of:

to:

!!''Last Christmas'' contains examples of:of the following tropes:

[[folder: A to L]]


Added DiffLines:

[[/folder]]

[[folder: M to Z]]


Added DiffLines:


[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ScarsAreForever: Kate has a scar between her breasts from when she had a transplant.

to:

* ScarsAreForever: Kate has a scar between her breasts from when she had a transplant. Somewhat [[Main/JustifiedTrope justified]] since it has only been one year since the surgery.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* AloofDarkHairedGirl:
** Santa is this when she's irritated with Kate... so, a good 50% of the movie. She [[DefrostingIceQueen defrosts later on]].
** In a similar vein, Marta is an AloofBigSister to Kate. Like Santa, she defrosts as her relationship with Kate improves.


Added DiffLines:

* DefrostingIceQueen:
** Kate is more of a cynical snarker than an outright ice queen, but either way, she becomes much more approachable as she [[TookALevelInKindness takes a level in kindness]].
** Santa is stern and sarcastic, but after she meets Boy and she and Kate reach an understanding, she shows her nicer side.
** Marta becomes significantly less frosty after Kate makes the effort to patch things up with her.
* TheDutifulDaughter: Marta, who became a lawyer because her parents wanted her to, and pesters Kate to go to her doctor's appointments so their mother won't worry.
* EducationMama: Implied. Marta says that she didn't actually want to be a lawyer all that much, but her parents insisted.


Added DiffLines:

* TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry: Present between Kate, the "pretty one" who sleeps around and wants to become an actress, and is the implicit [[ParentalFavoritism favorite]], and Marta, the "smart one" who's a lawyer, TheUnfavorite, and an [[AloofBigSister ice queen]] [[DefrostingIceQueen who later defrosts]]. Unusually, the "pretty one" is the protagonist, and the rivalry dies down after both sisters acknowledge that the other has legitimate problems.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* SleepCute: Tom lets a tipsy Kate sleep in his bed, and she invites him to join her. The two snuggle and fall asleep together.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* AwfulTruth: [[spoiler:The realization that Tom has been DeadAllAlong devastates Kate.]]


Added DiffLines:

* BreakHisHeartToSaveHim: [[spoiler:Downplayed. Tom tries to tell Kate she can't rely on him, which hurts her and makes her feel like she's being dumped. In actuality, he's trying to help her -- not only is basing your whole happiness on your boyfriend unhealthy to begin with, it's ''especially'' unhealthy when he's ''dead''. He was trying to prevent her heart from breaking more than it had to.]]


Added DiffLines:

* CourtlyLove: Tom is very obviously smitten with Kate, but never actually makes a move on her, preferring to take her on walks and joke around with her to make her smile. It's Kate who has to initiate their first kiss, and he declines to take it further than that when she offers. She outright comments that she's not even sure if they're actually a couple at one point.


Added DiffLines:

* SecondActBreakup: Per the norm for the genre, Tom and Kate have a fight that ends with her storming off in anger in the second act. [[spoiler:She actually gets over it and is willing to try and make up within a few days, though. Unfortunately, when she goes to his apartment to talk to him, that's when she finds out the AwfulTruth]].

Added: 917

Removed: 316

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* {{Adorkable}}: Tom's constant goofing around and jokes are endearing, even if Kate is playfully annoyed by it at first.



* {{Fangirl}}: Kate is one for George Michael. One of her first scenes has her singing along to one of his songs at a bar. The next scene has her hearing a [[StylisticSuck painfully cutesy, sung-by-kids version]] of "Last Christmas" playing at her workplace, cringing, and whispering to herself, "I'm sorry, George."



* {{Fangirl}}: Kate is one for George Michael. One of her first scenes has her singing along to one of his songs at a bar. The next scene has her hearing a [[StylisticSuck painfully cutesy, sung-by-kids version]] of "Last Christmas" playing at her workplace, cringing, and whispering to herself, "I'm sorry, George."


Added DiffLines:

* LapPillow: Tom holds Kate in his arms and lets her head rest on his lap when she finally talks to him about her past illness.


Added DiffLines:

* MistakenForGay: [[spoiler:When Tom tries to confess [[DeadAllAlong his secret]] to Kate, she at first thinks he's about to tell her he's gay, or worse, married.]]


Added DiffLines:

* WhatTheHellHero: ''Multiple'' characters call Kate out on her selfishness and thoughtlessness. She eventually [[CharacterDevelopment admits they're right and works on improving herself]].

Added: 2307

Changed: 370

Removed: 288

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AdultFear:
** Kate needed a heart transplant last year, and now doesn't do much to take care of her health. The film explores both her family's perspective (seeing your child behave recklessly and put their well-being into jeopardy, fearing a relapse, etc.), and her own (the trauma of having such a serious, invasive procedure and all the depression that follows).
** Kate's parents are immigrants, and because of recent political tensions, her mother genuinely fears being deported. Kate has to assure her that that won't happen.
* AnAesop: As Tom puts it, "Being a human being is hard." Life is difficult and often painful, and you're going to screw up. And that's okay. What matters is trying the best you can, and remembering that each day is a new start. If nothing else, you can at least be thankful you're alive.



* AnAesop: As Tom puts it, "Being a human being is hard." Life is difficult and often painful, and you're going to screw up. And that's okay. What matters is trying the best you can, and remembering that each day is a new start. If nothing else, you can at least be thankful you're alive.



* {{Fangirl}}: Kate is one for George Michael. One of her first scenes has her singing along to one of his songs at a bar. The next scene has her hearing a [[StylisticSuck painfully cutesy, sung-by-kids version]] of "Last Christmas" playing at her workplace, cringing, and whispering to herself, "I'm sorry, George."



* HateSink: There isn't much to the judging panel for Kate's first audition shown onscreen besides the fact that they're {{Jerkass}}es. Refusing to let Kate audition because she's late? Understandable. Rejecting her? Valid, her performance was hardly her best effort. But to [[BaitTheDog bait]] her into thinking she had a chance just to call her shit and laugh at her? Plain cruel.

to:

* HateSink: HateSink:
**
There isn't much to the judging panel for Kate's first audition shown onscreen besides the fact that they're {{Jerkass}}es.{{jerkass}}es. Refusing to let Kate audition because she's late? Understandable. Rejecting her? Valid, her performance was hardly her best effort. But to [[BaitTheDog bait]] her into thinking she had a chance just to call her shit and laugh at her? Plain cruel.cruel.
** That random jackass on the bus who tells two immigrants, who are simply minding their own business and having a conversation in their native language, to either speak English or go back to where they came from. [[PetTheDog Kate makes a point to apologize for his behavior]].


Added DiffLines:

* HypocriticalHumor: Kate intends to audition for an ice show despite never having skated before, her plan being to "wing it." Tom points out that this will ''not'' end well, so the pair sneak into a skating rink so she can practice. The next day, the audition goes pretty well, and one of the people casting the show comments to Kate that they get loads of people who show up unprepared, some never even having been on the ice before. Kate's response is to force a laugh, wondering aloud who would be that unprofessional.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* HateSink: There isn't much to the judging panel for Kate's first audition shown onscreen besides the fact that they're {{Jerkass}}es. Refusing to let Kate audition because she's late? Understandable. Rejecting her? Valid, her performance was hardly her best effort. But to [[BaitTheDog bait]] her into thinking she had a chance just to call her shit and laugh at her? Plain cruel.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* DancePartyEnding: {{Subverted}} twice in a row, amusingly. Two of the final scenes feature groups of people dancing and singing, but [[spoiler: the actual final scene is Kate on Tom's memorial bench.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* SpoilerTitle: Even if you've never heard the song ''Last Christmas'', it features in the soundtrack and the trailer. Just to make sure the twist wasn't a suprise to anybody watching.

to:

* SpoilerTitle: Even if you've never heard the song ''Last Christmas'', it features in the soundtrack and the trailer. Just to make sure the twist wasn't a suprise surprise to anybody watching.

Added: 2194

Changed: 83

Removed: 549

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AloofBigSister: Kate's older sister Marta is ambivalent towards her at best, but Kate's own attitude doesn't really help. [[spoiler:They get better.]]
* AmbiguousDisorder: She's certainly battling trauma either way, but [[spoiler: if we interpret her whole romantic relationship with Tom as the product of her brain and not [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane a ghost or something like that]], that'd mean Kate was having dissociative episodes/hallucinations the entire time.]]
* AnAesop: As Tom puts it, "Being a human being is hard." Life is difficult and often painful, and you're going to screw up. And that's okay. What matters is trying the best you can, and remembering that each day is a new start. If nothing else, you can at least be thankful you're alive.



* ArmourPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Santa's normally cool exterior of authority melting after Kate's irresponsibility forces her to violate the law causes a StunnedSilence in the latter, and the first signs of CharacterDevelopment.]]



* AmbiguousDisorder: She's certainly battling trauma either way, but [[spoiler: if we interpret her whole romantic relationship with Tom as the product of her brain and not [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane a ghost or something like that]], that'd mean Kate was having dissociative episodes/hallucinations the entire time.]]
* ArmourPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Santa's normally cool exterior of authority melting after Kate's irresponsibility forces her to violate the law causes a StunnedSilence in the latter, and the first signs of CharacterDevelopment.]]



* CharacterDevelopment: Kate becomes a lot less selfish and cynical, and gradually begins to regain the joy she once had. [[spoiler:Notably, in the scene at Tom's apartment, she admits she isn't particularly glad she survived her illness and transplant. At the end of the film, though, she tearfully says, "We are so ''lucky'' to be alive."]]
* ChekhovsSkill: Despite not having much luck in auditions, Kate is actually a genuinely good singer, which makes her a natural when it comes to organizing and performing in a benefit concert.



* HopeSpot: After the SecondActBreakup, Kate's CharacterDevelopment reaches its apex. She chooses to focus on her health, helps organize a benefit concert for the shelter, and goes out of her way to make amends for all her past wrongdoings. She even patches things up with her sister! The next step is to go to Tom's apartment to make up with him, too, [[spoiler:and that's when she finds out Tom hasn't lived there in a year.]]



* OpenMindedParent: [[spoiler:Despite Marta's fears to the contrary, Kate and Marta's parents are welcoming to her girlfriend Alba at the end of the film.]]



* ScarsAreForever: Kate has a scar between her breasts from when she had a transplant.



* TookALevelInCynic: The trailer reveals that Kate used to be an IllGirl. It's implied she was much less of a dirtbag back then.

to:

* TookALevelInCynic: The trailer reveals that Kate used to be an IllGirl. It's implied she Kate was much less of a cynical dirtbag back then.before her illness.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:


Tropers beware! Many of the trope names themselves are spoilers, so it is ''highly'' recommended you watch the film first.


Added DiffLines:

* BetaCouple: Santa and Boy. LoveAtFirstSight leads to them getting together with no drama, unlike Kate's romance with Tom.


Added DiffLines:

* BoyMeetsGhoul: [[spoiler:Gender-flipped. Tom is dead about a year, but that doesn't stop him from romancing Kate.]]


Added DiffLines:

* LetsWaitAwhile: After an extremely emotional conversation in his apartment, Tom allows a tipsy Kate to sleep it off in his bed, and curls up next to her. They cuddle and share a kiss, but he declines to go any further than that, saying they should hold off until later. [[spoiler:Of course, given TheReveal, "later" never comes.]]


Added DiffLines:

* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Despite her protests to the contrary, Kate begins to rely on Tom for emotional support and her newfound happiness. [[spoiler:He tries to gently tell her that she shouldn't rely on him, causing her to break up with him in anger -- which means he doesn't have a chance to explain that she shouldn't rely on him because he's [[DeadAllAlong not actually living at all]].]]


Added DiffLines:

* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: Tom works at a homeless shelter, but he never seems to be there, even when Kate shows up to look for him. [[spoiler:[[JustifiedTrope Being dead will do that]].]]
* SatelliteLoveInterest:
** Tom is only ever seen hanging out with Kate. He mentions having a job at a homeless shelter, but we never see him there. [[spoiler:Turns out, he never interacts with anyone besides her because he ''can't''.]]
** Boy basically exists to be one half of the comedic BetaCouple with Santa.


Added DiffLines:

* StarCrossedLovers: [[spoiler:Whether you see Tom as the ghost of a young man who falls in love with her, or simply a figment of Kate's imagination, it was clearly never meant to be.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* MasculineGirlFeminineBoy: {{Downplayed}}, as it's only really with regards to their narrative roles. Kate is the TroubledButCute protagonist who is also a bit of an UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist and a whole load of LoveableSexManiac; Tom is her [[ManicPixieDreamGirl Manic Pixie Dream Boy]], and a pretty textbook case of one, with all his charming strangeness.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* StealthPun: Kate is upset that Tom doesn't always show up when she is looking for him. [[spoiler:You could say he was *ghosting* her.]]

to:

* StealthPun: Kate is upset that Tom doesn't always show up when she is looking for him. [[spoiler:You could say he was *ghosting* ''ghosting'' her.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* StealthPun: Kate is upset that Tom doesn't always show up when she is looking for him. [[spoiler:You could say he was *ghosting* her.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Some edits.


''Last Christmas'' (2019) is a romantic comedy film directed by Paul Feig and written by Bryony Kimmings and Creator/EmmaThompson, who co-wrote the story with her husband, Greg Wise. It stars Creator/EmiliaClarke, Creator/HenryGolding, and Creator/MichelleYeoh, and features the music of Music/GeorgeMichael and Music/{{WHAM}}. The film is scheduled to be released on 8 November 2019 in the United States and Canada and on 15 November 2019 in the United Kingdom by Universal Pictures.

to:

''Last Christmas'' (2019) is a romantic comedy film directed by Paul Feig and written by Bryony Kimmings and Creator/EmmaThompson, who co-wrote the story with her husband, Greg Wise. It stars Creator/EmiliaClarke, Creator/HenryGolding, and Creator/MichelleYeoh, and features the music of Music/GeorgeMichael and Music/{{WHAM}}. The film is scheduled to be was released on 8 November 2019 in the United States and Canada and on 15 November 2019 in the United Kingdom by Universal Pictures.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ArmourPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Santa's normally cool exterior of authority melting after Kate's irresponsibility forced her to violate the law causes a StunnedSilence in the latter, and the first signs of CharacterDevelopment.]]

to:

* ArmourPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Santa's normally cool exterior of authority melting after Kate's irresponsibility forced forces her to violate the law causes a StunnedSilence in the latter, and the first signs of CharacterDevelopment.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ArmourPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Santa's normally cool exterior of authority melting after Kate's irresponsibility forced her to violate the law causes a StunnedSilence in the latter, and the first signs of CharacterDevelopment.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* AmbiguousDisorder: She's certainly battling trauma either way, but [[spoiler: if we interpret her entire romantic relationship with Tom as the product of her brain and not [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane a ghost or something like that]], that'd mean Kate was having dissociative episodes/hallucinations.]]

to:

* AmbiguousDisorder: She's certainly battling trauma either way, but [[spoiler: if we interpret her entire whole romantic relationship with Tom as the product of her brain and not [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane a ghost or something like that]], that'd mean Kate was having dissociative episodes/hallucinations.episodes/hallucinations the entire time.]]



* SuspiciouslyAproposMusic: Unless fans have seen the trailers or the film, many would notice that the Wham! song "Last Christmas" features specific timing of the lyrics "last Christmas I gave you my heart..." [[spoiler: which gives away major plot points involving Kate's traumatic illness and Tom being Kate's heart donor]].

to:

* SuspiciouslyAproposMusic: Unless fans have seen the trailers or the film, many would notice that the Wham! song "Last Christmas" features specific timing of the lyrics "last Christmas "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart..." [[spoiler: which gives away major plot points involving Kate's traumatic illness and Tom being Kate's heart donor]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* AmbiguousDisorder: She's certainly battling trauma either way, but [[spoiler: if we interpret her entire romantic relationship with Tom as the product of her brain and not [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane a ghost or something like that]], that'd mean Kate was having dissociative episodes/hallucinations.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* FunnyForeigner: The cultural details of Kate's family's Croatian background are fairly consistently PlayedForLaughs, though with affection.



* LethalChef: Marta. [[spoiler: Her girlfriend Alba, on the other hand, is a great cook, to everyone's relief.]]



* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land herself in hot water (e.g. getting her kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends had graciously supplied, ''twice in a row'').

to:

* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land herself in hot water (e.g. getting her herself kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends had graciously supplied, ''twice in a row'').



* ParentsAsPeople: Kate thinks her mother's a piece of work. Marta eventually validates this belief, but also points out that they're all pretty screwed up. Even though her mother is flawed, she's been genuinely depressed. When Kate and Marta patch things up both in terms of their familial relationship and their own lives, they bring their mother with them. Their father, who is characterised as rather [[ParentalNeglect neglectful]] in the past, gets to rejoin the mended, happy family too.

to:

* ParentsAsPeople: Kate thinks her mother's a piece of work. Her sister Marta eventually validates this belief, but also points out that they're all pretty screwed up. Even though her mother is flawed, she's been genuinely depressed. When Kate and Marta patch things up both in terms of their familial relationship and their own lives, they bring their mother with them. Their father, who is characterised as rather [[ParentalNeglect neglectful]] in the past, gets to rejoin the mended, happy family too.



-->'''Tom''': There's no such thing as normal. And just being a human being is hard.

to:

-->'''Tom''': There's no such thing as normal. And normal, and just being a human being is hard.


Added DiffLines:

* TheUnfavorite: Kate's sister Marta is established as one from the get-go.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land her in hot water (e.g. getting her kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends had graciously supplied, ''twice in a row'').

to:

* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land her herself in hot water (e.g. getting her kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends had graciously supplied, ''twice in a row'').
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land her in hot water (e.g. getting her kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends graciously supplied, twice in a row).

to:

* LoveableSexManiac: Kate provides a RareFemaleExample. Santa even offhandedly remarks that all Kate thinks about these days is screwing random hot guys and then promptly disposing of them, although usually not until her casual hook-ups somehow land her in hot water (e.g. getting her kicked out of the sleeping quarters her friends had graciously supplied, twice ''twice in a row).row'').

Top