A Christmas Story looks back with love at the 1940s, but with clearer eyes than most nostalgic films.
How could I ever forget it?
Narrator Jean Shepherd, the author whose stories inspired the film, imbues the lines with innocent warmth.
But is it perfect?
The very fact that we forget the imperfections of the scene testifies to the magic ofA Christmas Story.
A Black Christmas Story
A Christmas Storyreleased in Nov. 18, 1983.
Everybodys cheesy uncle pulls out a leg lamp with their decorations.
Ornaments featuring Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) hang on trees across the country.
Official Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Guns still appear on wish lists.
A lot of modern kids hateA Christmas Story.
Not for the usual my parents are so cheesy reasons, but because they thinkA Christmas Storyis scary.
They cry when Flick (Scott Schwartz) gets his tongue stuck on the pipe.
They shudder at the sight of Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) and Grover Dill (Yano Anaya).
They dont understand why Santa would kick Ralphie down the slide.
Its not really a big deal that he broke his glasses when the BB ricochets into his eye.
Daddy isnt really gonna kill Ralphie for fighting.
The secretLittle Orphan Anniemessage is just a stupid commercial.
That adult understanding of a kids experience allows the nostalgia ofA Christmas Storyto work.
It takes seriously child Ralphies desires and fears, but also mediates them with his adult perspective.
He doesnt position the past as somehow better than the present.
A Christmas Story is streaming on Max and playing regularly on TNT and TBS.
