Last Christmas

[It's] a star-studded romcom that plays like an expensive Hallmark film.

Still, it's worth a visit to the multiplex to behold cinematographer John Schwartzman (National Treasure: Book of Secrets, The Founder) accept the challenge of illuminating a feature almost entirely by Christmas lights.

Last Christmas is patronising, illogical and silly.

You don't want to spoil it - it's silly, but satisfying as a plum pudding.

The music of George Michael and Wham! is hauled out on to the soundtrack of this mouldy tangerine of a movie with about the same level of care and sensitivity that you might find on the festive mixtape at a motorway service station.

Clarke is wonderful, running around in a bright green elf suit with jaunty pointy-toed shoes showcasing a wild abandon that only grows more captivating as things progress.

Part Curtis-style rom-com, part George Michael jukebox movie (note the title), part personal redemption tale and part mystery story... Put all this together and it's no surprise that the movie is something of a mess.

Clarke's first big post-Game of Thrones move is heavy on inclusivity and morality lessons but loses no sense of humour in the process, dodging preachiness with ease.

It's worth seeing with family and girlfriends and moms and besties because it's a smart happy movie you can laugh with without feeling dumber for it.

Last Christmas fortified my cynicism for more than an hour, then Clarke eroded it just enough to make me like it.