Christmas with the Coopers | Blogmas Day 18

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Hey Guys x

I saw this a few years ago, but never reviewed it - I actually couldn't remember much about it. But I saw that it was on Netflix, and thought that Blogmas was the perfect reason to watch it again.

The Coopers are having their annual Christmas celebration. But with unexpected guests, hidden secrets and a hospital visit, will anything go as planned for this eccentric family?

I don't really know what to make of this film.

It has an amazing ensemble cast that includes Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde and Jake Lacy. It seems like a film with this cast would be amazing no matter what it was about, and I wish that they had utilised all of them more.

Because without this story, these characters are great. They're all so distinct and three-dimensional, and it was fun at the beginning of the film to work out how they were related, and what their relationships were.

But for me, the film fell apart because it wasn't actually about anything. There wasn't really a clear plot besides 'it's Christmas'. It's just a bunch of people living their mundane lives, and they happen to be related. 

And the thing with these mundane lives is that, this isn't the kind of Christmas movie that uplifts you, or makes you feel festive. Or at the very least, it felt like it should be funny, as a lot of films rooted in family reunions are. But everyone is miserable at the start of the movie, and most of them are still miserable at the end. A lot of it felt pointless.

Seeing the family members trying to get home in time for Christmas is a lot more interesting than watching the actual Christmas eve of this family. It's sweet, but not interesting.

There's absolutely no character development in the film whatsoever. But seeing these characters develop would have actually been interesting, and would make them feel more real. 

Overall, the cast was great, but nothing else was. I wouldn't really recommend the film, especially if you're looking for something uplifting and festive.


Originality - 4/10

Christmas Spirit - 6/10 

Christmas Music - 3/10


It's one week until Christmas!

Come back tomorrow for Blogmas day 19!

Lou           

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