This article contains spoilers from the movie “Last Christmas.”

“Last Christmas,” starring Emelia Clarke and Henry Goulding, is a rom-com with an unexpected twist.

After watching the trailer for the film, I expected a cute Christmas movie about a man and a woman who fall in love. However, the movie has much more depth than a standard Rom Com. 

“Me Before You” and “Game of Thrones” actress Emelia Clarke, plays Kate, the female lead. Kate is a frustrated young woman trying to become a singer. She works as an elf at a year round Christmas shop run by Santa, who is played by Michelle Yeoh. 

Kate absolutely hates her job until one day she spots Tom, a man gazing at her from outside the shop window. Tom is played by Henry Goulding, who also starred in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “A Simple Favor.” Tom tells Kate to “look up,” which Kate does, until a pigeon comes along and ruins the romantic moment. 

After Tom and Kate first meet, Tom repeatedly shows up to the Christmas shop and eventually changes Kate’s life for the better. He is a selfless person who helps the homeless, which he encourages Kate to do as well. This allows Kate to get out of her comfort zone and live in the moment.

Over the course of the film, I learned that Kate previously had a serious health condition, which has since been resolved. Her parents continued to treat her like a sick child, which made Kate reluctant to go home to her family or ask for help when she needs it.

One night, Tom finds Kate sitting on a bench, eating junk food, and without a place to stay. He invites her back to his apartment and Kate tells him that one year ago she had a heart transplant. Tom encourages Kate to take better care of herself and ask her parents for help. Although Kate wants to be close to Tom, he has reservations about going outside of the friend zone, much to Kate’s disappointment.

Kate works on her health, as well as her family relationships, and eventually returns to Tom’s apartment to deliver him the news. However, instead of finding Tom, she finds out that he died in a bike accident, and his apartment is now for sale. 

It’s then that the meaning of the movie title and the words of the George Michael song come together, “Last Christmas I gave you my heart . . .”

Since the film has a lot of depth, it left me in a feel-good mood, which is the point because that’s what Christmas is all about. 

I would recommend this movie to those who like rom-coms and want to get into the Christmas spirit.