Home for the Holidays
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Movie Reviews of Home for the Holidays
Movie Review: A tasty Thanksgiving flick that's no turkey . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
My partner and I saw "Home for the Holidays" in the theater way back in 1995 (YIKES! Has it really been that long ago?), and last night we watched it again on DVD and enjoyed it just as much. If you're looking for a dark and sassy holiday flick that ultimately is quite moving in the end, check out "Home". Basically it's the story of Claudia (played by the always delightful Holly Hunter), who loses her job, makes out with her boss and learns that her teenage daughter (played by a young Claire Danes, whose role is very small) is going to have sex with her boyfriend just before she gets on a plane to Baltimore to spend Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family: mother (Anne Bancroft, who is, of course, wonderful), father (Charles Durning), crazy aunt (Geraldine Chaplin), wacky gay brother (Robert Downey, Jr.), his handsome friend (Dylan McDermott), her bitchy sister (Cynthia Stevenson) and her sister's husband (Steve Guttenberg). It's a terrific cast of characters, and the story is full of darkly comic scenes and some touching dramatic moments--and the final scene with Nat King Cole singing is quite heartwarming. If you don't like black comedies with some raunchy humor and a sweet center, please avoid this movie. I love such films--and "Home for the Holidays" is something I'm very thankful for. Also, director Jodie Foster (yes, the actress) offers a very nice and illuminating commentary on the DVD, and I hope that she will someday direct more films as enjoyable as "Home for the Holidays".Movie Review: This is my family and more
Summary: 5 Stars
I just saw this movie again for the fifth time. Twice this Christmas (2004) on Lifetime TV. Now I'm buying the DVD. I hold it up as one of my favorite Christmas/Holiday movies...and there aren't many. Most are pretty sappy and I avoid them but this rings so true that I just have to own it.
My mom could've played the Anne Bancroft (the mother) part to a "T". When she tells Holly Hunter's character (the daughter)from the back seat of the car "your roots are showing", I almost fell over. How typical. That's my mom! She always throws those little barbs (meant to be helpful I'm sure?)
but are always critical. Mothers & daughters all over the universe can identify with this one little line of dialogue. The movie is packed with this kind of typical family rhetoric and it is very funny. I loved Charles Durning (the father) and he just seemed the perfect match to round out an all-star cast.
Anyway. This is a fabulous movie and I think everytime I see it I catch something else that I missed before.
My other fav holiday movie is "Christmas in Connectcut" the 1940's movie with Barbara Stanwyck. These 2 movies aren't on TV much but well worth viewing when they are.
Movie Review: ANOTHER MUST-BUY
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE FILM, and one which has never been given the accolades it deserves. On the surface, it's about a dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving, but upon closer examination it's Everyman's story. For anyone who has ever gone home for the holidays after having moved away, this film will bring back all the craziness and emotion associated with such a visit. I have given it to countless friends as a gift and watch it more than once during the year (especially at Thanksgiving). It never ceases to please, and I often catch some subtle bit of humor I've managed to miss in previous viewings. It's written, acted and directed flawlessly. The cast reads like a Hollywood Who's Who. Directed by Jodi Foster, it stars Holly Hunter, Claire Danes, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Robert Downey Jr, Dylan McDermott, Steve Guttenberg and Cynthia Stevenson (as well as Geraldine Chaplin, whose work I had not previously seen). Each of them deserves a medal for this film.
Watching it before Thanksgiving sets the mood for the remainder of the holiday season. I highly recommend it for repeated viewing.
Movie Review: Family Values NOT
Summary: 5 Stars
This film embodies the abject misery a lot of people experience when forced to go home to The Family for the holidays. You have to confront aging parents, aging siblings and old school friends/rivals. Nothing is the same anymore; yet you are bombarded with bittersweet memories. This film delivers in all those areas. You identify with the characters because you either know people like this or are related to them!
Robert Downey Jr really shines in this - which is amazing since the cast was brilliant. His performance just sparkles. He plays the gay brother of Holly Hunter who starts out just plain weird and becomes The Star of the film. I was disappointed when his character just goes away by escaping the insanity of The Family when he goes back to his real home to be with people who really love and appreciate the person he is rather than the little boy his family remembers. It seemed to me that the spark was gone after that.
Anyway, buy this film, put on the popcorn, curl up and enjoy. Oh, and Merry Christmas. Heh heh heh.
Movie Review: Most Overlooked Holiday Film Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This just seems to be one of those movies that missed mainstream awareness for whatever reason, which is a shame, as it is one of the most enjoyable--and realistic--holiday films out there.
Each year in the week before Thanksgiving (and sometimes before Christmas also), my wife and I have a tradition of curling up on the couch and watching this wonderful movie. Each time I am struck by the range of emotions displayed in the film, which never feels forced and doesn't leave the viewer exhausted.
The acting is first-rate all around, and even if the various dysfunctional elements don't resemble those in your own family, you won't have to think too hard to find someone near and dear to you that must endure similar holiday gatherings each year.
Overall it is that feeling of familiarity with all of the characters that puts this movie ahead of much of the rest of the pack as far as holiday films go. Seems to only get better each year, so would also rate it high in terms of re-watchability.