What I like about it is this:
- it's short (one minute - well done, M&S, less is more)
- it's fun
- it's not smaltzchy (is that a word?) and doesn't romanticise Christmas, but realistically suggests that things like having 40 winks on the sofa are a nice part of the day ("if only"... I hear you all sigh)
- yes, it's full of glamourous women and smiley children, and the parents don't look tired enough and don't show even a flicker of annoyance when their daughter jumps on them and interrupts their post-dinner 40 winks, but they all seem to be having a bit of a lark, rather than being the perfect Christmas family, and the scenes are random and a tad weird
- yes, it's only 6 November and we haven't had Bonfire Night yet, so too early, too early for Christmas stuff, but well, you can't blame a big retailer for being like all the rest of them
- it's made me realise why I always dislike other Christmas ads that get hyped (John Lewis, I'm looking at you here). At some level, they do all send out that "you too could have the perfect Christmas" message, even if it's cunningly disguised as penguins and pyjamas. I like this M&S one because I don't quite understand it, but it's a romp that throws itself full pelt at Christmas, and it stirred up something jolly. Jolly and not too perfect.
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Wow - that is very random. I liked the Morecombe and Wise singing at the end. The John Lewis ad looked a bit "meh" to me this year until I realised it's part of the Age Awareness campaign, in which case, Good for them. Fave has to be the one where the handbag is a substitute for the baby Jesus. Can't remember who it's by but it sure as heck wouldn't fly over here.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I've been writing about Christmas ads all day for work and none of us liked M&S very much. It's just not that memorable (although I agree in general about too much schmatlz elsewhere). Expat Mum, you are referring to Mulberry. I also like that one. Currys is also very good (with Jeff Goldblum).
ReplyDeleteI liked that it wasn't too Christmassy and rather enjoyed it - I only watched it because you recommended it and I'm doing my best to avoid all others. I do enjoy Christmas, but it isn't even halfway through November!
ReplyDeleteI really haven't seen any other Christmas adverts this year besides the John Lewis one, and (besides the fact that I thought it was a bit strange) that one just made me sad. This one, at least, didn't make me sad, but it didn't seem particularly Christmassy either.
ReplyDeleteI am already tired of seeing all the Christmas ads. Funnily enough the M&S one didn't grab my attention the first time I saw it, and I usually like their style. I agree with you re the John Lewis advert - it was much hyped, and doesn't live up to it. I think if it is supposed to be supporting the Age Awareness campaign then there should be some mention of it at the end (just small print perhaps at the bottom of the screen) because I think it is far too sad. Why would it make us want to shop in JL?
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