At the Movies with Fatwayne

Brad (Vince Vaughn) and girlfriend, Kate (Reese Witherspoon) both come from broken homes and they do not have much contact with their parents. Each Christmas they invent excuses not to visit in person but rather fulfill their obligations by sending presents. Their excuses always involve made up stories of helping the underprivileged around the world. In reality they are jetting off to some tropical location to indulge themselves and sip drinks with little umbrellas in them.

Ho, ho, ho – not so this year! Mother nature ruins their plans and they are forced to reconsider how they will spend the holidays. Unfortunately for them, they are interviewed at the airport by a TV reporter. Knowing that they are busted, they decide to visit their four parents, all of whom are divorced and living separate lives. This is where the fun starts.

Each visit is a story onto itself. You never know who will pop up on the big screen and this makes the film both funny and enjoyable. Actors of the caliber of Robert Duvall (my personal favorite), Sissy Spacek, John Voight, Mary Steenburgen, Carol Kane and many more all add to the quirkiness and hilarity of each visit.

Even though this is a Christmas movie, I would caution you about bringing the young kids to see it. The laughs come from assaults on religion, bodily fluids, senior citizen sex, childhood obesity and the revelation that questions the existence of a certain North Pole resident.

In the spirit of Christmas, the movie has a happy ending. I left the theater in a happy mood and therefore recommend it to you. Merry Christmas!

Rated – PG 13 -

Fatwayne’s rating: