[Movie Review] Almost Christmas (2016)
Director: David E. Talbert
Writer: David E. Talbert
Runtime: 1hr 52 min
Main Cast:
- Gabrielle Union as Rachel
- Danny Glover as Walter
- Jesse T. Usher as Evan
- Nicole Ari Parker as Sonya
- Omar Epps as Malachi
- Mo'Nique as Aunt May
- J.B. Smoove as Uncle Lonnie
- Romany Malco as Christian
Review: by Marie
First off before giving my review I have to address to parents that Almost Christmas is most certainly not a children's film.
Although it has an all-star ensemble (stars include Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, and more) there are mature themes including adultery, drug dependency, grief and language that includes "s--t,"ass,"b*tch" and more. On the sex front, there's an affair between a married man and a women he babely knows. All in all this movie is about a dysfunctional family celebrating their first Christmas after a sad loss. Although it centers on a family with three school-aged grandchildren, it's not really for kids. But, in the end the movie offers a positive message about forgiveness, family closeness, and the power of a strong legacy. Starting with the O-So Funny Mo'Nique; she is what makes this standard-issue dysfunctional-family holiday comedy worth watching.
The storyline is rather thin. Dad is secretly selling the house! Evan is taking painkillers! Lonnie is a philanderer! The actors play their roles so well that viewers will be invested in the feel-good happy-holidays outcome.
Christmas movies in general tend to be pretty predictable, but that doesn’t make them any less entertaining. Plus, again, Mo’Nique is hilarious as the wig-swapping, name-dropping Aunt May, who’s performed for Mick Jagger and Chaka Khan and enjoys imparting all of her wisdom to Walter and her nieces and nephews. The movie’s sibling dynamics feel authentic, with a relatable blend of rivalry, nostalgia, and dependence.
What I Liked:
In the movie, Glover’s character keeps trying to replicate his late wife’s Sweet Potato Pie dish and showing that he keeps trying sends out a positive message and good message that a man will keep trying for his family.
What I Didn’t Like:
There were some sad moments within the film, however, the actors that had to portray the sadness were not quite making it look sad, which for us completely kills a movie.
Summary
Marital infidelity, drug dependency and selling out are among the topics of the dramatic threads, and for most of the movie the comedic material outpaces the serious stuff. The most affecting subplot has Walter (Glover) trying to reproduce his recently deceased wife’s sweet potato pie. It’s one of many crowd-pleasing bits in a movie that at its best seeks a warm, direct connection with its audience.
User Review
( votes)Images Courtesy of IMDB
