By Emilio Frenk
Director: David E. Talbert
Cast: Danny Glover, Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Mo’Nique, Romany Malco, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Jessie T. Usher, Gabrielle Union and John Michael Higgins.
Rating: Average
Comedy director David E. Talbert brings “Almost Christmas” another movie from the genre that has some funny moments.
The movie centers in Walter (Danny Glover) a widowed man from Alabama who lost his wife recently.
Now he will try to reunite with his disfunctional family to spend Christmas and both his kids and him will try to cherish the celebration and will learn the meaning to stand up together and support each other as a family and this will lead the whole family to self acceptance and to others as well.
Like many comedies, “Almost Christmas” has many touching moments and many other elements that are related to values. The problem that I saw in this film is that it became to predictable and we knew exactly what was going to happen in most of the movie.
The direction of Davie E. Talbert was an interesting take although the script had many major flaws, like the ones I mentioned previoulsy.
I do admit that elements of the movie do really work and I liked the profound message that the movie has of acceptance to others and support each other. The meaning of what family and that’s one of the major roles this movie plays.
I laughed most of the film but the script could have been worked in a better level and it would be as good as 2013’s “The Best Man Holliday” that shows similar values as well.
The one character thatI enjoyed seeing is the clumsy Uncle Lonnie portrayed by J.B. Smoove who plays it with so much charisma and wit that is a very enjoyable character.
The inner and external conflicts of most of the characters could needed work but the movie at least serves it’s purpose which was to make laugh and you will be moved as well.
The use of the score in the most touching moments of the film do work and seeing Danny Glover in this kind of roles is so much fun and he delivers some funny moments that reminded me of his character of Roger Murtaugh in “Lethal Weapon” like I`m to old for this… which was his signature phrase for his character in the franchise.
“Almost Christmas” I give it a slight recommendation and this is because of the script that could have worked better and to the lack of identification with characters.