Forget 'Polar Express', this is the big movie for Christmas 2004, with or without children. It's one of those 'Railway Children/Mr Blundell' movies for a more contemporary, realistic generation. It would be ideal to watch during that dreary 'no-man's land' between Christmas and New year when you are wondering what life is actually all about, in the anti-climax of yuletide festivities celebrated under the auspices of a consumerist dictatorship.

Lemony Snicket (is there such a person?) reminds us that, in this life, there is no 'happy ever after'. Life actually is a series of unfortunate events and we should not bother looking for heaven in this temporal realm.

Starting with the death of their parents and the end of all their dreams, three children are plunged into a series of dark, dangerous and surreal circumstances. The story is quite simple.

Their wicked uncle, the thespian Count Olaf is after their inheritance and after trying to kill them to get at it they are passed from eccentric guardian to eccentric guardian whilst the Count chases them. There are wonderful performances from Jim Carrey, Billy Connolly and Meryl Streep (plus a cameo from Dustin Hoffman). Carrey, who I thought would be rather irritating after so many over-the-top performances, really gets into the character(s) of Count Olaf and is barely recognisable under the excellent make-up. It is great to see Meryl Streep again � and not taking herself seriously. Billy Connolly is Billy Connolly and I hope I look as good as him when I reach 60!

It may give a bleak view on life, but I wish life was as good looking and exciting in all its horror as it is in this film. Jim Carrey is reported to have said that he could not imagine anyone wanting to see this movie at Christmas because it is so depressing. However, I found the performances and the spectacle of the movie so rivetting that I did not see it as sombre at all. The hardness was just a refreshing element that lifted it above the usual cinematic fodder served up these days.

The moral of Lemony Snickets' tale is that we cannot expect to find paradise in this life, we need to develop within ourselves inventiveness, research and the ability to find moments of sanctuary. These certainly are lessons children should learn and I will be making them my resolutions for 2005.