In one sentence: The Man Who Invented Christmas follows Charles Dickens as he struggles to write A Christmas Carol, blurring imagination and reality in the process.

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We all know the story of A Christmas Carol and have seen countless adaptations in every imaginable style, but how much do we really know about its author, Charles Dickens, and how he came to write the festive tale that helped shape the way we celebrate Christmas today? The Man Who Invented Christmas answers that question with a charming, quirky and unmistakably British flourish.

Dan Stevens, one of my favourites, plays Dickens at the height of his fame after the success of Oliver Twist, adored by huge American crowds on a literary tour. We cut to three flops later and Dickens is no longer a celebrated genius, but something of an underdog; a man with expensive tastes, a large family and a desperate need for another hit. With a baby on the way and writer’s block firmly in place, he scrambles for inspiration. The film follows him as he pieces together the world of A Christmas Carol through conversations, memories and encounters that highlight just how revolutionary the novella was. Ignorant as it may sound, before this film I had no idea how little Christmas was celebrated at the time or how unmarketable the season was considered. Dickens genuinely risked his reputation writing a holiday book, though it ultimately changed everything.

Dan Stevens is excellent as Dickens. The film’s eccentric style calls for a touch of theatricality and Stevens leans in wonderfully, showing both the mania and melancholy of a blocked writer. One of the film’s funniest and most charming sequences involves Dickens brainstorming names for Scrooge, and the moment he lands on it, Christopher Plummer appears as the miser himself. Plummer embodies the role perfectly and his scenes with Stevens are a delight. Jonathan Pryce is also superb as Dickens’ father, a man plagued by financial missteps and a lack of sentimentality whose complicated influence shaped Dickens’ life and work.

The film is quintessentially British and transports you to the 1800s, even if some of the sets and CGI backdrops look a little artificial. The music, ensemble cast and magical depiction of the writing process come together to create something indulgently festive. Although a few darker moments arise through Dickens’ past and the ghostly elements of his story, this is a film the whole family can enjoy. Dickens enthusiasts will also appreciate the many Easter eggs sprinkled throughout.

One of my favourite quotes in the film encapsulates the Christmas season beautifully: “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.” A Christmas Carol remains so important because that sentiment sits at its very heart and this film reminds us why Dickens’ story reshaped Christmas forever.

★★★½ (3.5/5)