Surviving Christmas (2004)

Perfect cast and a good story

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Surviving Christmas (2004): Dir: Mike Mitchell / Cast: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Christina Applegate, Josh Zuckerman: Standard Christmas comedy about family. Ben Affleck wishes to rekindle childhood memories but another family now lives in his childhood home so he pays the family to represent his family and reprise old memories. Good idea but structured like a sitcom with sets to match. Directed by Mike Mitchell whose best element is the character development, which is surprisingly good. Affleck is surprisingly funny as he attempts to reprise old memories and driving this family up the wall in the process. James Gandolfini steals the film as his hired father who grows rapidly impatient with the whole ordeal. Catherine O'Hara is terrific as his hired mother in a role that is perfect for her comic talent. Their marriage is in trouble so Affleck makes her an offer that lands her in hot water. The only real weak character is the daughter, played by Christina Applegate whom Affleck will fall for. Since he doesn't have a sister, she will be placed as the maid. Applegate has great comic potential but her role here is too obvious. Josh Zuckerman plays Applegate's brother who will get lured into the predictable charade. The film's purpose is to celebrate family and surviving each other long enough to remember what it is all about. Score: 5 ½ / 10

Being something of a big Christmas movie fan, I came to this with some trepidation after reading other reviews - but decided to give it a go with no prejudices and you know what, it's fun - it does what it is supposed to in a Christmas film, builds up tension and drama but then gives you a happy ending - perfect, and the cast are top notch.Forget what you read about all the troubles with scripting etc etc and timing of release of the movie, the fact is that it is a very enjoyable Christmas movie - yes, it may be a little "join the dots/movie by numbers" but come on...it's Christmas, it isn't supposed to be or trying to be Citizen Kane for goodness sake!

Twas the beginning of December; the cold air cuts through the walls and as Christmas slowly but surely makes it's presence felt, SKY customers sit back as the seemingly never ending "joy" of Xmas is unleashed upon the world. And on this day "Surviving Christmas" projected from the screens in an attempt to make people feel merry. :) Now...my seasonal sarcasm aside, i have no qualms in stating my disinterest when Christmas comes calling. For me all it is, is an excuse for money to be thrown around. And films are of course a necessary evil when it comes to the holiday season. And my scrooge like bias aside, i have seen a lot of Christmas films, but this.....well this is diabolical. Harsh? No...not by a long shot. Apart from James Gandolfini everything else is just plain awful. Ben Affleck was dire. The Story (which had potential) was so far fetched and so full of...well you know..that it was at points unwatchable. And i know it was out 9 years ago and Affleck has since blossomed and hit his prime as an actor("Runner, Runner" aside)and as a director, but his performance in this is amongst the worst i have ever seen. Everyone is annoying and all this film did was put the final nail in my Christmas coffin.They could make a film where (In the trailer man's voice....) "6 strangers.....one room.....one film.....on repeat.....will they survive.....survive surviving Christmas" Chaos could ensue as everyone goes insane due to the horrific film. Could have murder, suicides, a satanic Santa Claus.....MAKE IT!!!

Pros:I honestly think this movie was quite decent. Not so say it was anything near perfect in it's every regard, though still, I found it captivating.It did put me in a Christmas mood, but filled me with a sense of sadness, or should I say emptiness.The concept of spending Christmas alone, may to some seem unbearable, (although I know of a certain someone whom finds joy in this even) since after all... 'tis a festive season.It takes a somewhat unexpected turn, (something you will have to wait and see for yourself) which is a good thing - dynamic aids in engaging the viewer, intrigues the viewer.I must say, I found myself (to some extent) bonding with "Drew".A family on the verge of collapse, a man who's only Christmas wish (quite the expensive one) is to get the chance to relive "the snowy bliss of his now long since passed childhood.Cons: Not much frankly... To me it seemed a bit rushed, wraps up a bit too quickly - who knows, maybe I need to watch it once more, before passing such judgment.Summa summarum: all in all, I liked it and believe you will too.