I missed this little package when it is was in the theaters for Holiday Season 2008, but its been rewrapped by our local Pay-Per-View service for Holiday Season 2009, and delivers exactly what you’d expect. A few laughs, a few awkward patches, and a relationship storyline that would not be compelling at all if it weren’t for the fact that Reese Witherspoon is always, and Vince Vaughn is almost always, likable on screen.
It’s the story of a couple making four visits to four parents on Christmas Day, and rethinking their fears of marriage and kids.
The most notable thing here is probably that there’s rarely been so much acting talent used toward such mediocre results. I mean, Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek? Really? This is what your agents are picking for you? One thing I was happy to see was that not only does Jon Favreau appear, we also have the return of Patrick van Horn who played Sue opposite Vaughn and Favreau in Swingers, one of my all-time favorite films. Van Horn plays the x-friend and future step-father of Vaughn’s character. (“You can't be my friend anymore. You can't be sleeping with my mom and still be my friend, ok?”)
There are a few other scenes where there’s legitimate fun in seeing Vaughn and Witherspoon endure bizarre, convoluted frustrations. But there’s an equal number that just don’t work (like Reese in a “moon bounce” with a bunch of 10 year-olds).
So let’s just say that this should not replace It’s a Wonderful Life and become part of your Christmas tradition, but if your expectations are not high and you want to unwind to a forgettable comedy, you could do worse than having this on your Netflix.
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