Cast: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Zuckerman, Bill Macy, Jennifer Morrison
Director: Mike Mitchell
Producers: Betty Thomas, Jenno Topping
Screenplay: Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont and Jeffrey Ventimilia & Joshua Sternin
Cinematography: Peter Lyons Collister, Tom Priestly Jr.
Music: Randy Edelman
U.S. Distributor: Dreamworks
A glance at the pre-Halloween release date gives one an indication that perhaps Dreamworks did not anticipate that this movie would become the next beloved Christmas classic. In years to come, it probably will get plenty of holiday play on TBS or USA, but Surviving Christmas is never going to be viewed as being in the same category as A Christmas Story or even National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. By advancing the release date to mid-October, Dreamworks assures two things: (1) it won't have a lot of immediate competition in the Christmas movie market, and (2) few people will be sufficiently enough in the mood to care. Opening a seasonal movie two months before the season hints at desperation.
One of the film's most obvious flaws is its inconsistent tone. Surviving Christmas can't decide whether it wants to be a black comedy, dumb farce, or sentimental sit-com. Elements of all three make appearances, but the manner in which they are interconnected is inelegant. This could have something to do with the input of four credited screenwriters (two of which - Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont - are known for transforming TV shows into movies), not all of whom may be on the same page.
Surviving Christmas starts out with more edge and promise than the bulk of the picture delivers. For ten minutes, it looks like we might be okay in director Mike Mitchell's hands. The opening credits unfold as Andy Williams sings the Christmas standard, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." While Williams warbles, we see men and women struggle with some of the less enjoyable aspects of the season, culminating with a grandmotherly type turning on a gas oven and sticking her head inside. Cut to the offices of ad exec Drew Latham (Ben Affleck), who is offering the following kernel of wisdom: "The only way to get through the holidays is to drink spiked eggnog."
Soon, after being dumped by his girlfriend (Jennifer Morrison), a clueless Drew finds himself in the unenviable position of being alone for the holidays. So he does what any mentally unbalanced, wealthy yuppie would do - he returns to his boyhood home and purchases the services of the family living there. The four Valcos - father Tom (James Gandolfini), mother Christine (Catherine O'Hara), son Brian (Josh Zuckerman), and daughter Alicia (Christina Applegate) - agree to go along with Drew's "let's pretend" act when he offers to pay them $250,000. At first, there's a lot of friction and silliness, but eventually Drew starts to care about the Valcos. He wants to help Tom and Christine's crumbling marriage and develops a strong attraction for his "sister."
There are times when Surviving Christmas seems to be setting itself up in the mold of the aforementioned National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but it fails consistently. The level of humor isn't close. The reason is simple enough - as outrageous and silly as the Chevy Chase movie is, it gets its biggest laughs when it spoofs traditions and activities that most Christmas celebrants will be familiar with. Surviving Christmas is entirely divorced from this degree of reality, and, when it tries to generate humor in such a manner (such as with the lighting of the mammoth Christmas tree), the mirth is flat.
Another problem relates to the character played by Ben Affleck. Drew is obviously mentally unstable, but Affleck tries to represent that character not as a delusional stalker, but as an eccentric big lug with a heart of gold. The portrayal is off-putting - we end up with a broadly-drawn caricature who is more often annoying than endearing. At times, it seems like Affleck is trying to ape Adam Sandler rather than rely on his own innate likeability. Affleck's co-stars are okay. James Gandolfini is essentially playing Tony Soprano, with Catherine O'Hara standing in for Edie Falco. Christina Applegate does little more than essay the obligatory love interest. Not enough time is spent on the Drew/Alicia relationship for the predictable romantic resolution to work.
Surviving Christmas is the first of three high-profile Christmas movies heading for a multiplex near you. The other two, Polar Express and Christmas with the Kranks, are being released at a time when movie-goers are likely to be in a more festive mood. First isn't always best, and, in this case, Surviving Christmas is likely to be a picked-over carcass out of theaters long before the Thanksgiving turkey reaches the table.
© 2004 James Berardinelli