When we noticed that Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey was gaining popularity on Netflix, we decided it would be the perfect pick for our Friday family movie night. Just three minutes into the film, my kids started chatting as they tried to grasp the storyline. My youngest quickly pointed out that the young boy on the screen resembled her brother, exclaiming, “That boy looks like you!” with a tone of surprise.
As we settled in, we realized we were watching a film written and directed by a Black filmmaker, David E. Talbert, featuring an incredibly talented cast, predominantly made up of people of color. The narrative was a refreshing reminder that anything is achievable, even a more diverse array of Christmas films! It felt like a timely boost of hope, reflecting the importance of seeing faces that look like ours on screen.
The film opens with the character Jeronicus Jangle, played by Forest Whitaker, being introduced through the eyes of his granddaughter Journey. The story unfolds with Journey (Phylicia Rashad) recounting how Jeronicus lost faith in himself. As we sang and danced along to the uplifting music, I felt grateful to be sharing yet another remarkable moment with my family in 2020: witnessing an all-Black cast tell a story about resilience and rediscovering one’s faith in their abilities, largely thanks to family — especially his granddaughter. The Jangle family exemplifies perseverance, continuing to believe in themselves despite life’s setbacks.
After his first successful invention, a talking toy named Don Juan Diego (voiced by Ricky Martin), Jeronicus is filled with hope for his family’s future. However, when Don Juan rebels against being mass-produced and persuades Jeronicus’s apprentice Gustafson (Keegan-Michael Key) to steal Jeronicus’s book of inventions, everything changes. Following the death of his wife, Jeronicus becomes a widower, struggling to raise his young daughter, Jessica (Anika Noni Rose). Overwhelmed by grief, he abandons his dreams and eventually closes his toy shop, transforming it into a failing pawn shop.
As the bank demands repayment by Christmas, Jeronicus finds himself in despair, with no new inventions to present. His life takes a turn for the better when his granddaughter arrives for the holidays, rekindling the spark within him. She becomes the catalyst for change, challenging Gustafson when he returns to showcase a toy he has stolen once again. While Gustafson thrives, Jeronicus leads a life of hardship until Journey’s arrival brings hope back into his life.
My family and I spent two joyful hours watching a film that showcased characters who looked like us, sharing a narrative we deeply needed to hear — encapsulated in Journey’s message: “If you believe, it’s all possible.” This uplifting sentiment was especially resonant as we celebrated the recent election victories of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, marking another significant step in representation.
As we brace for the possibility of another state-mandated quarantine, we can take comfort in the hope that more Christmas stories like Jingle Jangle will emerge, featuring diverse actors on screen — people who share our experiences. We embrace the potential for greater representation of Black and brown actors, who understand that storytelling is vital not only on-screen but also in the creative process behind the scenes. Jeronicus’s words echo the sentiment: “I got a say in how my story ends…make it work again.” As people of color, we know our narratives best and deserve to share them.
Jingle Jangle resonates with universal themes such as forgiveness, resilience, and the transformative power of love. The film beautifully illustrates the importance of storytelling across generations — from grandmother Journey’s narration to the conclusion — reminding us that storytelling empowers our family histories.
Ultimately, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey taught my family that love transcends all. Through challenges and heartaches, through lost dreams and renewed ambitions, love has the power to rebuild us from within if we simply believe. We aim to continue sharing our stories both on and off the screen. Grandma Journey inspires us with her mantra: “Watch me fly higher than my obstacles … I am unstoppable.” This holiday season, we can all be those unstoppable forces of joy, hope, and love.