Father Christmas Is Back
Four sisters – Caroline, Joanna, Paulina, and Vicky – reunite for the Christmas Holiday in a Yorkshire mansion. However, their estranged father, James, joins in for the first time since he left the family behind decades prior. The group attempts to get through the holiday despite comedic misunderstandings, while also uncovering the long-buried secret that tore their family apart, so many years ago.
- Released: 2021-11-07
- Runtime: 105 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Stars: Nathalie Cox, Talulah Riley, Elizabeth Hurley, Kelsey Grammer, John Cleese, Caroline Quentin, April Bowlby, Kris Marshall, Ray Fearon, Katy Brand, Ania Marson, Naomi Frederick, Amelie Prescott, Janie Booth, Bryan Samson
- Director: Philippe Martinez, Mick Davis
Comments
- destroyerwod - 14 May 2024
The comedy didn't work a lot for me but the familly stuff was fine
It was late and i was already a bit tipsy, and i decided to pick into my old Netflix watchlist to find something to watch. I was feeling more light hearted comedy and this one wasn't too far down the list and looked the part. Sure we are in May but whatever. Won't be my first Christmas Spring film this year.
So basically you have 4 sisters, and one of them is hosting for Christmas in her familly home that happen to be more of a mansion than a house that was inherited by her husband. They are pretty much a disfunctioning family to begin with, but it happen their father who have left decades ago show up to add to the mix.
On paper that sound great, but in execution, can't say the same. The main issue is the movie never really find funny situations to put the characters in, and when it does, its not that funny. Every sisters have their personality and at least 3 out of 4 are developped well enough, and they do have their "rivalries" but it comes out more as bickering than anything else.
There is a few situation that attempt to go for comedy but it didn't really worked for me. Its like the movie couldn't decide if it wanted to be more of a family drama or a comedy, and kinda failed to deliver on both.
Ironically it seem some parts were inspired by Christmas Vacation, but obviously it can't touch it.
I know this review sound more negative than positive, but the movie is really not terrible. Especially not as bad as some other reviewers want to make it to be. Its definatelly not a 1 or 2 out of 10. For me it was just plain average... just "ok". The story did interest me, but it lacked many typical aspects of a comedy or even a romcom to truly sink me in the movie.
There is better options on Netflix for sure when it comes to either romcoms, comedies in general or even Christmas movies, but its if you watched a lot of them and are bored, maybe it will do it for you. - lhjakobsen - 2 December 2023
Funny and Christmassy
Despite all the mediochre reviews, I really liked it. It started a bit slow and confusing, but picked up pace and turned out to ne not just funny but also heartwarming. A good christmas movie that, for once, wasn't too soppy or predictable. The family was totally dusfunctional in spite of - or because of - the posh settings. Kelsey Grammar was a great choice, and ... well ... John Cleese is funny even when he't not actively trying to be.
It is good BRITISH humour, which not everyone are able to appreciate. If you expect total predictability and syrupy-sweet characters, then it's not for you. But othetherwise ... watch it!
