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What do you get when you pair an animated holiday tale with a heartfelt story about overcoming barriers? Two wildly different but deeply resonant films that remind us of the power of connection. This holiday season, Richard Curtis (Love Actually, About Time) brings us That Christmas on Netflix, while Judith Light (Who’s the Boss?, The Menu) and Courtney Taylor (Abbott Elementary, Insecure) star in Disney+’s Out of My Mind. Both projects dive into themes of love, understanding, and the occasional mistake — be it Santa’s or our own — and all three filmmakers talk with Kyle Meredith about them. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Curtis says That Christmas (which premiers Dec. 4th on Netflix) started as bedtime stories for his kids. “They were just small books I wrote for them,” he shares. “Then a producer said, ‘What if we turned this into a movie?’ Before I knew it, we were creating a full-length animated feature.” Starring Brian Cox as a slightly flawed but lovable Santa Claus, the film is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, with intertwined narratives reminiscent of Curtis’s Love Actually. “It’s about human connection — even Santa has to rely on others to make things right,” Curtis explains.
Meanwhile, Out of My Mind (out now on Disney+ — get the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle for just $16.99 a month by signing up here) tackles a different kind of connection. Based on the bestselling novel by Sharon M. Draper, the film follows Melody Brooks, a sixth-grader with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair and is nonverbal. Light and Taylor play crucial roles in Melody’s life, offering advocacy and understanding as Melody challenges societal limitations. “This is a story about seeing the person, not their differences,” Light says. “It’s a lesson in empathy, in truly hearing people.” Taylor adds, “Playing a character who stands up for someone who needs it most — that’s the kind of work that stays with you.”
For both projects, there’s a shared emphasis on what makes us human. Curtis nods to the small but meaningful moments in That Christmas. “It’s not just about Santa saving the day — it’s about families and communities stepping in for each other.”
Listen to Richard Curtis talk about That Christmas, and Judith Light and Courtney Taylor talk about Out of My Mind in the new episode above or by watching the videos below. Keep up on all the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith With… on your favorite podcast platform; plus, check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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