Paul Feig's Last Christmas reigns as a holiday favorite because of the heartwarming quotes that make it stand out among all demographic cohorts. The story revolves around an atypical rom-com heroine and the intensely layered Katarina Andrich (Emilia Clarke). She is well-ed for sharp and tactful commentary on healing from grief, xenophobia, and homelessness in the United Kingdom.
Last Christmas retains the trademark quirks of a holiday movie, but more than most, its dialogue takes on serious subject matters and proves comedy comes from truth. These heartwarming quotes are a testament that while the movie spreads festive cheer, it also takes on real-world problems of immigration, discrimination, and homelessness.
Cutting Ties With Family
"Just Ring Your Mother." - Marta
At the movie's beginning, Kate struggles to welcome positivity back into her life. She keeps ignoring her mother's calls, and her sister, Marta, comes by and tells her to call their mother.
Marta reminds Kate she's missed five doctor's appointments, and there's one planned for the next day, which she hasn't confirmed to attend. Kate is understandably not at a good place in her life, and Marta's words are a reminder that she needn't unnecessarily project her grief on their mother. Kate knows she has to find a better way to channel her grief.
The Illusion Of Connection
"I Installed Everything On Her Phone From Snapchat To Instagram. All It Means Is That I Can Disappoint Her In More Ways Than Ever." - Kate
Kate's Christmas shop boss, Santa, is also one of those people who finds it strange that she ignores her mother's calls. It's one of those employer-employee bonding moments in the movie, and it shows Santa hides her true self behind a strong exterior.
Whilst cursing the day she was born, Kate adds that increased social networking does more harm than good. To her, networking apps such as Snapchat and Instagram are more ways to disappoint her parent. The irony is that Kate and her mother are connected on every app but are disengaged in real life. Things like this are why was well-received.
Kate Being Cynical
"These Are Dark Times." - Kate
When Kate bumps into Tom the second time after her unsuccessful singing audition, she asks him if he's following her around. Tom is puzzled because their running into each other is purely a coincidence. He calls her cynical, and she's instantly on the defensive.
It's too soon to delve into Tom's existence, and at this point in the movie, Kate strokes her cynicism with the words mentioned above. To be cautious is a sign of wisdom, and viewers think Kate's just being her smart self in the scene.
Sticking It Out
"I Am Not A Career Elf." - Kate
Any actor worth their salt would face major problems portraying a character as layered as Kate, but not Emilia Clarke. She played fascinating characters well before she rose to fame as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. Thanks to her acting prowess, Last Christmas was a hit.
In the scene above, Kate tells Tom she was awful at doing what she usually does in front of people who could have given her a job. Puzzled, he wants to know why she wants another job when she works as an Elf. Kate calmly proceeds to tell him that being an Elf is definitely not her dream job, and she wants to sing for a living. Her words sound simple, but the truth is, she's just paying her dues, and viewers love her feisty side.
Appreciating Life
"And Don't Forget, Look Up." - Tom
While Emilia Clarke shines in her role, Tom's character is the endearing piece in the Last Christmas puzzle. The young man teaches Kate to "Look Up" every once in a while, which is his mechanism to distract himself from the chaos of life.
Tom's philosophy of enjoying the small pleasures in life and living in the present reminds viewers why Last Christmas is arguably the most romantic holiday movie ever. Tom and Kate's bond is atypical of most romantic comedies. This quote proves that the movie explores beyond the "superficial" cinema romance and delves into the deeper, more important, self-love.
Oh, But How Beautiful It Is To Heal
"I'm Not Gonna Heal My Heart And Then Give It To Somone Who Is Going To Break It." - Kate
The most significant aspects of Last Christmas are Kate taking responsibility for her feelings and using lessons from her previous setbacks to make better decisions.
Kate eventually struggles to cope with Tom's lifestyle, and he, in turn, struggles to provide her a reasonable justification of why he's the way he is. She knows it's time to leave him be and musters all her strength to say these powerful words before exiting from the scene.
Addresses The Anti-immigrant Sentiment
"I am Sorry. You Are Welcome Here." - Kate
As Last Christmas progresses, Kate acts less and less like the selfish person she once was. She starts getting better by realizing she's fortunate that she was given the life that most people elsewhere in the world, especially those affected by turmoil, can only dream of. It's also the first time she embraces her Yugoslavian heritage and her actual name - Katarina - instead of its anglicized version, Kate.
And so, in this particular scene, while riding the bus, Katarina witnesses two Croatians being shouted at. Though she doesn't do anything to stop the tirade of abuse, she goes up to them and makes an apology. Katarina speaks to the Croatians, and fans happily witness one of the sweetest Last Christmas moments unfold on screens.
ing St. Benedict's Shelter
"That's An Hour Of Pure Heart And Soul." - Nathan
The more Kate starts to take control of her life, the more she realizes true joy lies in putting others, especially the underprivileged, before herself. She makes amends by volunteering at a local homeless charity that Tom once used to visit.
Her first time busking in front of St. Benedict's stands out because she somehow manages to continue until the very end. She is afraid, slightly embarrassed, and the whole act is unnerving, but she knows she must seek redemption. She collects £5.75, €2, and a Fox's Glacier Mint. It's not much, but Nathan and viewers who were rooting for her all along are impressed.
Singing For The Homeless Shelter Benefit
"Last Christmas, I Gave You My Heart..." - Kate's Rendition Of The Classic Wham! Song
Though technically not a quote, if Kate's words are to be taken literally since Tom was, in fact, the person who donated his heart to Kate. Tom was killed in a bicycle accident last Christmas and turned out to be a figment of Kate's imagination. Tom and Kate were itted to the same hospital the year before. As he wasn't going to make it, she ended up receiving his heart.
After Kate realizes that Tom's heart will always belong to her, she has a newfound respect for life, family, friends, and for people who have no social security. This Christmas, she steps up and organizes a terrific fundraising benefit for homeless people. Kate's beautiful rendition of the Wham! classic ends the movie on the most-satisfying note.
