Four Christmases
Filed Under: Film, Reviews | Article Tags : DVD review
By: The Dweeb
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Four Christmases has actually been sitting on the shelf since last year, and Warner Bros. has wisely waited until the next holiday season to finally release the film on DVD. That’s a rare thing these days, as most are in a rush to get these things out the door as soon as possible. But releasing something like this in January or February would not have been a smart move. Now the last ten years or so the holiday movie genre has turned out some mediocre to poor results, especially in comedy. So naturally I thought I was going to sit through another lame attempt at creating an unfunny movie revolving around Christmas. I was completely dead wrong, mostly because Vince Vaughn steals almost every scene he’s in. 
This movie is damn funny, more than likely because the entire audience can relate to having to deal with relatives during family gatherings, although this one takes it to an extreme. The two main characters, Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon), are a thirty something unmarried couple who go out of their way to avoid any familial contact during the holidays. Each one of their parents are divorced, so that makes for four individual visits. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to do that either. So they plan a big vacation away every year, except for this time when San Francisco is completely fogged in. Maybe it could have been set in the Midwest during a blizzard, that could have been more believable. Its a thin premise I know, but for the sake of the film I will take it. So now they have to go and visit the folks, all in one day also mind you. Not sure how that possible, but we’ll ignore this as well.
Wow, what a crazy messed up family on each side. Hilariously both Brad and Kate are taken down a notch with each visit, and are surprised to learn things about each others pasts thats not pleasant. Brad’s real name is Orlando, Kate went to fat camp and had a lesbian friend when growing up much to the opposite’s surprise. The films theme is about maintaining relationships, even in the worst conditions and situations, no matter the outcome and try not to keep any secrets from one another. Its just going to backfire as we can plainly see. They both struggle throughout the film with each new hilarious revelation, and at one point decide to end the relationship. It is a journey of self discovery for these two, on some level, and each finds out they have different priorities in life.
But lets get back to the comedy, enough of the larger picture. I thought I had it bad (just kidding dear!), but wow these families are messed up! Hilariously messed up in fact. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are in their comedic prime here, and have some great chemistry as a couple. I love Vince, even though he’s pretty much the same guy in every film his personality usually carries it. His frenetic talking and pacing always either digs himself deeper or out of any situation. Running mouth syndrome. The scene in church is a laugh riot. This is where the surprise casting really comes through. How they got these guys to play smaller roles for this film I have no idea. But having Robert Duvall and John Voight as your dad, Sissy Spacek and Mary Steenburgen as your mom and not to mention siblings like Jon Favreau (naturally), and Tim McGraw is quite the lineup. These guys are something else, you know they just love hamming it up for the camera a side you don’t see that often from some of these actors. Brads family is a bunch of hillbillies or hippies. While Kates is naturally more conservative, at least on the outside. Each visit descends into chaos and becomes a personal hell as the past is repeatedly dug up and bludgeoned to death. You know, the stuff that comes out of the closet at these types of things.
Unfortunately this is not the Blu-ray version of the film, so for whatever reason there are absolutely no extra materials on this disc. It would have been nice to at least have some outtakes or alternate scenes here guys. There is the option of getting the digital copy at least, for those of you travelling to visit relatives this could be a good prep tool. Other wise, this disc is perfect for you rental types out there. I would check out this film, preferably not with extended family present. OK, just kidding about that.
Reviewer’s Opinion: RENT IT!!
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