It's a whole lot less impressive in 2004, after films ranging from lame to lousy such as Paycheck, Daredevil, Jersey Girl and the notorious Gigli. We expected a lot more when Affleck was always hanging with Matt Damon than when he was always hanging with J-Lo.

But Bennifer is no more, and maybe that's why Affleck seems happier and more likable than ever, bringing a pleasingly goofy devil-may-care energy to his role as a crackpot millionaire looking to re-create the joys of his childhood Christmases.

At least that's the story Affleck's Drew Latham gives when he shows up at the home of Tom and Christine Valco (James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara). They and their teenage son now live in the home where Latham grew up, and for a few hundred thousand dollars, they're willing to play foster family for the loony Latham through Christmas Day. But when their adult daughter Alicia (Christina Applegate) arrives home for the holidays, the requisite sparks fly.

You can pretty much write the story from there, but Surviving Christmas somehow survives a plot that seems to have been written by screenplay software on autopilot (despite being credited to four writers). Credit a black-humor streak that recalls a less-risque Farrelly Brothers feel and game performances from the formidable cast.

Oddly enough, Gandolfini - Tony Soprano himself - makes the least impression as the Valco patriarch, hiding behind a scruffy beard and two-dimensional characterization.

Affleck isn't asked to do much more, and thank goodness - as in his frequent appearances on Saturday Night Live - Affleck is so much more entertaining playing the good-looking goofball than when he's trying to, well, "act."

That's right, Ben: No offense, but leave the heavy lifting to Matty. That's why the Bourne films beat the stuffing out of The Sum of All Fears.

Still, the film takes a dangerous downturn in the third act, when the more-hit-than-miss black humor and enjoyably cheesy romantic comedy take a back seat to lame sentiment. The saving grace comes from the performances of Applegate and O'Hara, without whom Christmas truly would be a challenge to survive.

Applegate held her own against Will Ferrell earlier this year in Anchorman and has matured into an engaging, entertaining presence. But the real secret weapon is O'Hara, the SCTV alum who invests Christine with her sharp wit and brilliant timing.

It's way too early to call this the start of a career renaissance for Affleck, especially since he'll be reprising his role as Matt Murdock next year (groan) in the Daredevil spinoff Elektra. But he's made a step in the right direction, and it's almost enough to make one feel terrible about the hilariously cruel South Park episode that brutally lampooned Affleck and Lopez. Almost.

Grade: C

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Zuckerman, Bill Macy

Screenplay: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, Jeffrey Ventimilia, Joshua Sternin

Rating: PG-13; sexual content, profanity

Running time: 91 min.

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