Drew Latham (Ben Affleck) is a lonely wealthy executive who tries to visit his childhood home. He finds the Valcos (James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Christina Applegate, Josh Zuckerman) living there now, and he pays them to have a fun family Christmas with.
Ben Affleck is trying too hard. He's faking it too hard. I guess it's a black comedy, but it doesn't have the edge to be one. If it's a farce, Affleck doesn't have the comedic chops to pull it off. If it's a sentimental Christmas movie, the setup is too awkward. It really can't be justified as anything more than a miss. Gandolfini and O'Hara actually can't find any laughs which is a tough feat for O'Hara. At least, Applegate gives the movie a small amount of heart. But I can't figure out Affleck in this.
Surviving Christmas
2004
Action / Comedy / Romance
Surviving Christmas
2004
Action / Comedy / Romance
Plot summary
Wealthy Chicago ad executive Drew Latham has long avoided the family traditions of Christmas, but has dreaded being alone on the actual day. So when his tropical Christmas vacation with girlfriend Missy Vangilder falls through and Missy breaks up with him in the process, a self-therapy session leads Drew to decide to relive his best childhood Christmases. With his loved ones long-gone, he decides to rent a family: the Valcos, the current owners of his childhood home in suburban Chicago. Tom Valco wants nothing to do with Drew until an exorbitant amount of money is involved; they draw up a contract which expires at the end of Christmas night. What Drew doesn't (or refuses to) realize is that the Valcos are having their own problems, which his presence exacerbates. Can the Valcos endure their unexpected guest? If they can, will the money solve their problems? Meanwhile, will Drew come to realize what he wants in life and how to achieve it?
Uploaded by: OTTO
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
No joy in this Christmas
Surviving Ben Affleck
Or is it James Gandolfini? Maybe even both ... but in this case, especially Gandolfini is responsible for the straight lead - to contrast the craziness Bens character brings into this. Very good actors involved in it, that almost make you forget how ridiculous it gets from time to time ... so much so, that if it weren't for the people in front of the camera, you might think about switching this off.
That being said, it is a "Christmas movie" that overall is jolly ... do not overthink it (it is predictable entirely I'd say) and just have fun with it. If you can that is ...
rich man rents a family to spend Christmas with
i know it's not Christmas season,but i thought i'd watch this movie anyway.i didn't really have any expectations going in,so imagine my surprise when this turns out to be a watchable movie.it's not really very funny,but it has some amusing moments and it's not boring.i guess this was supposed to be a Ben Affleck vehicle,but i thought James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara had the more interesting characters and added more to the movie than Affleck did.Affleck does okay here,but he really has less to do than Gandolfini and O'Hara.Christina Applegate has a small role in the movie.this is a movie that satisfies you for 90 minutes,and then is quickly forgotten soon after.for me,"Surviving Christmas" is watchable and entertaining.as a result,i'll give it a 6/10