Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey features a truly all-star cast of performers stepping into a magical world of lavish costumes, musical numbers, and a little holiday magic. The film includes standout performances from Forest Whitaker, Ricky Martin, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, and of course the young lead Madalen Mills. But even among all of them, Keegan-Michael Key manages to stand out.
Key's reputation as a comedic performer willing to put tremendous physicality and commitment into every role is well known, and he certainly brings that to Jingle Jangle. But as the thieving toymaker Gustafson, he gets to do something many of his best-known projects haven't offered: Play a villain.
Key pulls off several scene-stealing moments throughout Jingle Jangle, but among all of them, one in particular stands out and makes us love him even more. Just moments after his flashy introduction, Key's character has a dramatic heart-to-heart with another important player in the story that shows us just how far he's willing to go to get what he wants.
We first meet the older version of Gustafson through a flashy musical number that ends when his new invention, the Whirly Twirly, backfires on a crowd of onlookers. Until that moment, Gustafson is upbeat, happy, full of swagger, and never betrays even a hint of self-doubt in terms of the man he's become.
Then, in our key scene, Gustafson retreats to his office, where the film reveals that the Matador who talked him into stealing Jeronicus Jangle's inventions all those years before is still very much the power behind the throne. In this fantastic scene, Key has to shift his acting talents from being the showman Gustafson tries to be in front of crowds of customers and turn into the scared, insecure toymaker who's terrified that he'll never be more than a thief.
And yet, even with the dramatic tension in the scene, Key manages to insert some of his comedic skills into the moment, truly showing off his range.
Showcasing his range | 0:00
Going deeper | 2:11
Character contrast | 3:10
Setting up the arc | 4:10
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The One Jingle Jangle Scene That Makes Us Love Keegan-Michael Key Even More | Netflix
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Decades after his trusted apprentice betrayed him, a once-joyful toymaker finds new hope when his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life.
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