I think you have to have a Dad like the Dad in the movie to appreciate it....
My dad was nothing like him but it’s the only one of my favorite Christmas movies that’s anywhere near “traditional” (Die Hard, The Ref and Bad Santa are my more “typical” favorite Christmas movies). I think you have to be willing to remember childhood with the warts and the laughs to get the movie. A lot of people remember childhood seriously edited, they’ve dropped either the good stuff so they can be bitter or the bad stuff so they can be happy. Christmas Story is about remember the whole thing, might also help to have spent some of childhood in the snow belt. Even though I’m two generations removed from the time portrayed, but I spent the “formative years” in between Chicago and Indiana, and some parts of that area just don’t change. I remember getting so bundled up for school I couldn’t put my arms down, I’ve gotten a hand slightly stuck to a frozen flag pole, we’ve all dealt with bullies. I also remember being so excited opening presents I’d forgotten what I wished for and didn’t care if I’d gotten it or not.
Truly a great movie.
I appreciate it, but my dad is not at all like that man!