Movie Review: Four Christmases

Christmas is supposed to be a time for joy. Little warmth emanates from Four Christmases, the latest treat from Alliance Films now soliciting customers

Even though an A-list cast is on hand throughout this 88 minute movie the sparks fail to fly off the screen in this late season entry.

Lovebirds Kate and Brad are the quintessential yuppy couple. Fun for them is to miss spending time over the holidays with loved ones. Instead the pair opt to forsake all the spirit of giving instead opting to fly away to warmer climes. Sooner or later the truth catches up to everyone and when a trip gets cancelled in no short order the anti-clan couple descend on their respective parents homes. Naturally, by this time the adults have been separated for years hence the necessity to “drop in” on four new homes.

Sparks should fly when these fish out of water interlopers try to make nice with their families. All that can go wrong does go wrong as we are treated to a series of supposedly comic moments where the insults fly fast and furious. Each of the main actors and supporting cast are great performers in their own right but together they are beholden to a lackluster script. And when the film gets serious things further descend downward.

Both Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers) and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) look good and do make a nice looking couple but their relatives are dreadful over the top caricatures that are at times grating and too self-serving. Former Godfather great Robert Duvall gets relegated to blue humour mode while feisty Mary Steenburgen (Step Brothers) seems destined to worship. You too should pray for the follow-up roles of all these great actors, including a sweater adorned Jon Voigt (National Treasure).

Best suited to a cold rainy rental Four Christmases offers little glad tidings this holiday season for those looking for some fun or satisfaction at neighbourhood cinemas.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com