Me Without You is a movie I’ve had in my Netflix instant queue for a while, waiting for a date night with myself to finally sit down and watch it. I didn’t expect the emotional response the film evoked, and felt a bit moody afterwards.

The story follows the relationship of two very different girls from very different families. One of the girls comes from a traditional Jewish family, while the other experiences the now again love of a barely there father and a weird relationship with her glamorous and flighty mother. 

The girls experience great highs and horrible lows together, taking you along for the emotional journey. Michelle Williams plays the more low key trustworthy friend who is often taken advantage of by the prettier more outgoing girl. It’s really sad to see her miss out on opportunities because she is living in the shadows of her friend.

The movie spans thirty years and after everything is over, you feel like you’ve gotten to know the girls so well, as they have loved and lost, overcome and fallen down, betrayed and even gone their separate ways.

I will say, there is quite a bit of sex and even some drug use in this movie. It’s pretty raw and real, which is why I loved the film so much.

Today is the last Christmas Movie Monday for a whole year! This one isn’t particularly a Christmas movie, but has a subtle Christmas theme throughout. It’s a winner for me, because my love, Jimmy Stewart, stars opposite of his real-life crush, Margaret Sullavan. If you’re familiar with You’ve Got Mail, you will find this original version quite charming.

The two characters work at the same shop in Budapest, arguing and making each other’s lives a struggle. When he arranges to meet his “dear friend” at a cafe, James’s character discovers that his coworker is actually his secret pen pal, but all the while he antagonizes her and does not reveal the truth.

Slowly he convinces her that her “dear friend” is a fat, greedy man who steals his romantic lines from classic poetry. It’s a fun story that is both humorous and touching. A great holiday film for those who are tired of Santa themes and Christmas miracles.

The movie was adapted in the 1940s with Van Johnson and Judy Garland in the classic In the Good Old Summertime, and most recently put to film with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the 1990s movie You’ve Got Mail. In my opinion, this version is the most charming… though that might have more to do with Jimmy’s appearance throughout than quality acting or stellar stage sets. Still, it’s a great family movie that is enjoyable for the holidays, and even any time of year.

Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby costar in this pre-White Christmas comedic musical full of nostalgic Irving Berlin songs most everyone adores. The two fellows are dancers and romancers who are surprisingly civil about stealing each other’s partners.

The plot is a playful dance between sabotage and camaraderie. The movie opens as Fred Astaire plans to run away with Bing Crosby’s betrothed, leaving good ol’ Bing to retreat to the lonesome farm he had planned for their future. Instead of becoming a farmer, Crosby decides to make a business of the place, putting on shows for every little holiday throughout the year.

When Fred Astaire is left high and dry by the lady he loved, he reappears in Bing’s life, hitting it off famously with Crosby’s new dance partner, who is also Crosby’s new fiance. Things get muddled as Astaire, who had been quite inebriated, doesn’t exactly remember who this lady was, and Crosby attempts to keep her hidden from him.

It’s a silly story with fun dances and hardly believable love stories. What more could you want from a 1940’s musical? Oh, Irving Berlin Christmas music? Done, and done. :)