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Movie: Surviving Christmas
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language and a brief drug reference
Summary: Drew Latham (Ben Affleck) is a successful businessman who has pretty much everything he could want, except a loving family. When Christmas rolls around, he is left feeling empty and lonely. Even his girlfriend gives up on him because of his lack of holiday cheer. In an attempt to get over his lifelong grievance, he visits his childhood home, which is lived in by the (not so happy) Valco family. He longs to re-create the childhood memories of Christmas that he never had, and offers this hesitant family $250,000 to take him in as one of their own for the season. From the second he walks in the door, the Valcos are in for more than they bargained for, as they are required by contract to do whatever Drew asks of them.
My view: The weekend before Halloween seems like an odd time to release a Christmas movie, but it may be an interesting attempt to take a larger chunk out of the holiday market. As for the film, it is surprisingly fulfilling. The extremely quirky ensemble of characters gives off a National Lampoon sort of aura; think Christmas Vacation. Affleck is quite funny, and James Gandolfini, in a big departure from his leading role in The Sopranos, is great as the reluctantly submissive Tom Valco. Catherine O'Hara, as a definitely different kind of mom than she played in the Home Alone movies, added some zest. Christina Applegate plays the relatively normal member of the family, daughter Alicia, who also fills the requisite role as love interest to Affleck's character. Then there's the obsessed son, Brian (Josh Zuckerman), who adds some crudeness to the movie. The cast wryly delivers the quips and jibes that are sprinkled throughout the script, sometimes bordering on the outrageous. While not necessarily tasteful, it is funny. The story was an amusing change from your typical joyful holiday film, yet it had the cliche happy ending and love story that seem to find their way into almost every film. Although not likely to reach classic status, this one is worth the price of admission.
Recommendations: Heed the rating, and wait until the holidays come a little closer - at least until Halloween passes - to see it.
Grade: B
- Billy Norris, 16, is in the 11th grade at Seminole High School, and is a former member of the X-Team.