There was a time, long ago when in the movie Brazil, the little girl on Santa’s knee asking for “my own credit card” was absurdly funny. Now it is just the way of things.
Never has Christmas been as creepy as in Terry Gilliam’s prophetic movie. The story of office worker Sam Lowry dreaming of escape from his drone existence in a hellish, bureaucratic dictatorship has all the ingredients for a life-affirming Christmas tale.
But, as children must learn Santa won’t always bring them what they want, audiences must realise a cheery Christmas message is not a guarantee. All summed up by Sam’s oily chief persecutor giving him terrible news while dressed as Father Christmas.
