As a film enthusiast who has spent countless cold winter nights huddled under a blanket, surrounded by the warm glow of my old-school CRT TV and a mug of hot cocoa, I must say that I’ve seen more than my fair share of holiday films. Some have become cherished classics, while others have left me scratching my head in bewilderment. The 2004 film, “Christmas with the Kranks,” falls into the latter category – but not for the reasons you might think.
Generally speaking, when discussing Christmas movies and Tim Allen, many people associate him with his unforgettable portrayal of Santa Claus in the The Santa Clause trilogy, a series that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Interestingly enough, the actor from Home Improvement also starred in another holiday movie titled Christmas with the Kranks, which was released alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in 2004. It’s likely that this film isn’t as fondly remembered because it often receives negative reviews, but I believe it doesn’t deserve all the criticism it has received.
The Christmas-themed film focuses on Luther (Allen) and his wife Nora (Curtis), who find themselves rushing to decorate their house for Christmas after their daughter foils their idea of skipping the holiday for a tropical cruise. Despite boasting a skilled cast, the film is receiving poor reviews, with just 5% approval from critics and 39% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. Regardless, it remains among the least popular Christmas movies ever made, even though the audience rating is noticeably higher.
Although I wouldn’t rank it as the top Christmas movie or my go-to holiday film, I did find myself watching it over the weekend on AMC’s Best Christmas Ever collection. It might not be up there with Elf, but The Grinch That Stole Christmas does contain some enjoyable scenes that don’t quite match its low ratings.
The Film Is Full Of Christmas Traditions And Spirit
Among the things that really grind my gears about Christmas films is when they fail to evoke the true spirit of the season. But that’s certainly not an issue with “Christmas with the Kranks“, as the festive atmosphere of gift-giving takes center stage.
Luther and Nora reside in a community that goes all out for Christmas celebrations, with an expectation for their active participation in every event scheduled. Each house adorns lights, a large Frosty the snowman figure, and real trees (usually sold by scouts). Singing carols is a significant part of the festivities. The culmination is always the Kranks’ Christmas Eve party.
Despite Luther and Nora being firmly opposed to it this year, the movie remains brimming with holiday cheer. This is mainly due to the enthusiastic efforts of the neighboring households and the enchanting winter landscapes crafted by the art department.
There Are Plenty Of Bizarre Hilarious Moments
As a film enthusiast who cherishes the holiday season, I must say that while not every Christmas movie needs to be a laugh-riot, the ones that truly shine often are. Much like the classic films that came before it, Kranks leans on absurd and physical humor to tickle our funny bones.
The entire hickory ham plot seems bizarre when it’s introduced but, as Nora struggles to secure her daughter’s favorite holiday dinner staple, the comedy truly shines. Of course, it culminates in the ham getting run over in the middle of the street, after Nora trips. While the moment is devastating, it’s also downright hilarious.
In addition, there are numerous instances when Tim Allen’s comedic abilities truly stand out. For example, the spray tan scene may not be groundbreaking, but watching Luther transform into an awkward orange hue is still just as amusing. It becomes even funnier when Nora attempts to remedy the situation by applying makeup on him, resulting in a more comical predicament. Furthermore, the scene where Luther swipes his neighbor’s Christmas tree, due to a lack of available ones in town, is also a riot.
The Film Provides Solid Commentary On Christmas Culture
The movie “Christmas with the Kranks” effectively stands out among typical holiday films by critically examining excessive Christmas cultural practices. Contrary to what Rotten Tomatoes reviews might suggest, Luther is not a classic Scrooge, but rather someone who’s tired of the excessive time and financial commitments associated with Christmas celebrations.
At the start of the film, Luther calculates expenses and finds that a tropical vacation costs as much as their extravagant town’s Christmas festivities. Though this sum might seem small in 2024, it was an enormous amount twenty years ago. Given that their daughter is expected to be away during the holidays, it becomes logical for the elderly couple to decide on toning down their celebration.
More on Tim Allen
“Now that we’ve seen the amusing clip featuring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, they are giving us a sneak peek of their new comedy show changing direction.
Without a doubt, their Christmas-centric neighbors find issue with the Kranks’ plans to skip Christmas celebrations in the film. This leads to confrontations, arguments, and even attempts at bullying, all in an effort to persuade the Kranks to adhere to their vision of the holiday. The situation offers comedic relief, but it also underscores the significant stress that society places on families to have a flawless Christmas, as well as the consumeristic nature it’s taken on. In the movie, the Kranks choose not to buy a tree because they won’t be home, but instead of being admired for their frugality, they face criticism from the town. However, it’s important to note that celebrating Christmas without a tree is absolutely possible.
Regrettably, despite their initial resistance, the Kranks eventually succumb to the wishes of their neighbors and daughter, who unexpectedly returns for the festive season. However, this doesn’t diminish the underlying commentary that remains evident. In the final analysis, it aligns with the common theme found in many Christmas films: that the holiday is essentially about generosity and sharing.
If it’s been a while since you last watched “Christmas with the Kranks” or if you haven’t seen it at all, I recommend giving it a chance despite the negative reviews. Stream it before the holiday season ends using your Amazon Prime Video or Hulu subscription.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-18 02:07