The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
White Christmas
Comedy · Music · Romance · 1954
Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.
Movie details
White Christmas
“THE MOST FABULOUS MUSIC-AND-MIRTH SHOW IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY!”
1954 Comedy · Music · Romance 2h 0m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.2 / 10
Community rating
Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over White Christmas?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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On the day before Easter in 1911, Don Hewes is crushed when his dancing partner (and object of affection) Nadine Hale refuses to start a new contract with him. To prove Nadine's not important to him, Don acquires innocent new protege Hannah Brown, vowing to make her a star in time for next year's Easter parade.
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How to Marry a Millionaire
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Music · 1951
A brother and sister dance act encounter challenges and romance when booked in London during the Royal Wedding.
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The Chipmunk Adventure
Animation · 1987
The Chipmunks and the Chipettes go head to head in a hot air balloon race, and the winner gets $100,000. Unbeknownst to the participants, the "race" is actually a diamond smuggling ring!
Little Italy
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Michael Curtiz
Written by
Norman Krasna · Melvin Frank · Norman Panama
Bing Crosby
Bob Wallace
Danny Kaye
Phil Davis
Rosemary Clooney
Betty Haynes
Vera-Ellen
Judy Haynes
Dean Jagger
General Waverly
Mary Wickes
Emma Allen
John Brascia
John
Court is in session
Put White Christmas on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.