Surviving Christmas (2004)
Ben Affleck, Bill Macy, Catherine O'Hara, Christina Applegate, David Selby ... (see more) , James Gandolfini , Jennifer Morrison , Josh Zuckerman , Stephanie Faracy , Stephen Root , Sy Richardson , Udo Kier
Ben Affleck is well-cast as Drew Latham, a millionaire on the verge of nervous collapse, a man with no sense of self who tries to buy the trappings of life--including the family that just happens to be living in his childhood home. He jumps around with a plastic smile on his face, trying to impose h... (read more) Ben Affleck is well-cast as Drew Latham, a millionaire on the verge of nervous collapse, a man with no sense of self who tries to buy the trappings of life--including the family that just happens to be living in his childhood home. He jumps around with a plastic smile on his face, trying to impose himself on the bribed household, who--even though the parents are on the verge of divorce--are still more psychologically coherent than he is. Surviving Christmas has been unfairly trashed due to anti-Affleck sentiment in the post-Gigli era; though the movie eventually succumbs to bland formula, it has some moments of bracing dark comedy and genuine empathy, mostly thanks to James Gandolfini (The Sopranos, The Mexican) and Catherine O'Hara (A Mighty Wind, Beetlejuice) as the parents--two superb actors who could breathe life into any banal script. Also featuring Christina Applegate (Anchorman, View from the Top). --Bret Fetzer
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PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed by:
Mike Mitchell
Release Date: Oct 22, 2004
DVD Release Date: Dec 21, 2004
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Flixster User Reviews
funny ideas in the movie. Seems the american way...buy buy buy. Affleck isnt to bad. plays the character well. Good flick to watch during the holidays.
its not the movie that sucks... its the never ending christmas propaganda...
Started out ok, then quickly went downhill. The first few okay minutes don't really make the movie worth watching though.
I can't help but like this stupid movie. My favorite is Doo-Dah! Some very funny lines in this one.
Four years ago my girlfriend (now wife) wanted to see this movie. I convinced her not to go because I heard such bad things about it. I learned this week that I was right, I was so very right.
This movie is so vile and stupid. Ben Affleck is the ... (read more) Four years ago my girlfriend (now wife) wanted to see this movie. I convinced her not to go because I heard such bad things about it. I learned this week that I was right, I was so very right.
This movie is so vile and stupid. Ben Affleck is the creepiest actor ever. He pays Tony Soprano (in a beard no less) $250k to live with him for a week and recreate the christmas of his youth.
Ben Affleck never had an the idealized Christmas because his momma was poor and worked on christmas. The joke is on you for watching this stupid piece of garbage.
DEAD MOTHER- HAHA!
Not a great movie. But not a bad movie. I was pleasantly surprised with this holiday movie, especially because it looks so bad. When a film clearly showcases within the first 5 minutes that it is not going to try and be sensible, but just downrigh... (read more) Not a great movie. But not a bad movie. I was pleasantly surprised with this holiday movie, especially because it looks so bad. When a film clearly showcases within the first 5 minutes that it is not going to try and be sensible, but just downright silly...you can suspend all belief and it is actually rather fun. If watching this in July it would SUCK.
It's Ben Affleck so I wasn't expecting much, however it was attuned to my twisted scense of humor. Added bonus that Catherine O'Hara was in it.
Started shooting without a completed script and it shows. Surviving Christmas has it's heart in the right place, but slips on every ice covered step. It's about capturing the magic of Christmas that only the young can feel. Unfortunately it devolves ... (read more) Started shooting without a completed script and it shows. Surviving Christmas has it's heart in the right place, but slips on every ice covered step. It's about capturing the magic of Christmas that only the young can feel. Unfortunately it devolves into your regular comedy with misunderstandings and "hilarious" consequences. Gandolfini makes the best of a bad situation, and there are moments when sparks fly. In it's defense, it isn't a difficult film to get through. Just not a great one.
A cute, funny, sweet & heartwarming Christmas flick! I thought James Gandolfini was great in this movie and I love the sort of "Family Man" story line where you have a wealthy guy who thinks he's happy and has everything until the holiday's roll arou... (read more) A cute, funny, sweet & heartwarming Christmas flick! I thought James Gandolfini was great in this movie and I love the sort of "Family Man" story line where you have a wealthy guy who thinks he's happy and has everything until the holiday's roll around and he then realizes that money doesn't bring him the warmth and happiness that he truly craves and desires and that there's more to life than wealth. I like that general concept and I like that this version had a comedic flair. A fun holiday film!
Critic Reviews
Maybe the worst thing that can be said for Surviving Christmas is that it doesn't succeed even on its humble level of aspiration.full review
Some screwball moments elicit a chuckle or two, but the script is weak and the characterizations clichéd.full review
A grating tribute to checkbook cheer, that warm and fuzzy feeling achieved from buying and buying and buying.full review
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