This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 at 11:15 am and is filed under Christmas Movies, Comedy, Drama, Dramedy, R. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Director: Ted Demme
Starring: Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., Glynis Johns, Raymond Barry, Christine Baranski.
Ted Demme does a good job with this comedy/drama about the kidnapping of a bickering family at Christmas, but he had plenty of help to do it. The story is simple and unconvincing, but is buoyed by strong dialog, expertly delivered by the three principals, backed up with a strong supporting cast. The film is set at Christmas, but don’t expect any, “Gee, Dad, what about the other kids? Does Santa help them, too?” kind of moments.
Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey are Caroline and Lloyd Chasseur, an unhappily married couple whose fights are like pro wrestling cage matches. One of these fights, on Christmas Eve, no less, is interrupted when a fleeing burglar, Gus (Denis Leary), on the run from the police, kidnaps them. Soon, our desperate criminal is even more desperate to get away from these serial bickerers. Things only get worse, when the extended family arrives, which just extends the fighting. Soon, the career criminal is moonlighting as a fledgling, Oprah-quoting, family therapist as he just tries to stop the incessant family brawling.
Sarcastic humor and impressive performances are the strengths of this feature, which has Denis Leary at his wisecracking best. Not your typical Christmas feature but worth watching just the same.
