As a film critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that “A Sudden Case of Christmas” is a delightful holiday romp, albeit set in August and wrapped in an Italian blanket. The ensemble, led by the charismatic DeVito family, brings a heartwarming energy to this tale of family, secrets, and the true meaning of Christmas.
In an Unconventional Holiday Story titled “An August Christmas Surprise“, Danny DeVito and his daughter Lucy headline a heartwarming cast in a lively, season-defying comedy about the importance of family during the holiday season. The twist is that Christmas occurs in August due to an impending divorce. As expected, a series of humorous incidents unfold as the endearing characters conceal significant secrets and manage multiple relationship dilemmas while a clever girl captures the chaotic celebrations on camera. The movie steers clear of excessive sentimentality by including some mischievous elements to liven up the eggnog.
Jacob Randall (Wilmer Valderrama) and his wife Abbie (Lucy Devito) sing Christmas carols with their young daughter Claire (Antonella Rose) as the family drives towards Italy’s picturesque Dolemite Mountains. Rose’s father, Lawrance (Danny DeVito), owns a boutique hotel where everyone usually congregates for Christmas. Jacob’s parents, Rose (Andie MacDowell) and Mark (José Zúñiga), are also en route to join them. We quickly learn it’s not December but August as the Randalls want the whole clan to celebrate the holidays together.
At the hotel, Lawrence is overjoyed upon seeing his cherished Claire as they arrive. The hotel manager, Otto (Adrian Dunbar), has been meticulously transforming the hotel into a magical Christmas scene, which displeases Lawrence’s most significant guest – a millionaire (Denis Conway) and his daughter – who express their irritation. However, the warm greetings take an unexpected turn when Jacob and Rose draw Lawrance aside to reveal the real purpose of their visit during summertime. They are in the process of divorcing and decided to break the devastating news to Claire at her beloved hotel, hoping it would soften the blow of the shocking revelation.
Christmas Shenanigans with the DeVitos
An Unexpected Christmas Story has a sitcom-like vibe, filled with slapstick humor and embarrassing moments that escalate wildly. It’s almost like a circus of near farce, as each character seems to be trying their best to dodge harsh realities. The lies pile up when Rose and Mark appear on the scene. It turns out that uptight Mark had a passionate one-night stand with another guest during his previous visit. As soon as he spots Claudia (Valeria Cavalli) in the lobby, Mark quickly disappears.
Zúñiga, an experienced character actor, known for appearing on TV shows like “24,” “CSI,” and “Madame Secretary,” as well as movies such as “Alive” and “Twilight,” delivers a captivating performance as Mark. Intriguingly, he employs significant measures to conceal his secret relationship. The humor intensifies when, predictably, Rose develops a close friendship with Claudia, adding to Mark’s distress.
Danny DeVito consistently portrays his character with a broad grin and sparkling eyes. Lawrence serves as the ringmaster of this circus, balancing all the hidden truths while trying to maintain the success of his hotel. His endearing humor manages to corral the numerous storylines effectively. As a widower, Lawrence deeply respects the institution of marriage and strives to keep every couple united, but he understands that some relationships, once severely damaged, may not be salvageable. The message for Claire becomes clear: love doesn’t last forever in every instance.
An Unfortunate Lack of Chemistry in a Movie About Relationships
In the movie “A Sudden Case of Christmas,” Valderrama and Lucy DeVito lack the necessary chemistry, which is evident throughout their extensive screen time together. Despite this, they never seem to form a genuine connection, even when their characters initially clash. The film’s director, Peter Chelsom, attempts to reignite their dormant feelings by placing them in artificial scenarios designed to spark romance. However, the overly sentimental approach is obvious and would be more convincing if the characters were believable together from the start. Unfortunately, like oil and water, Valderrama and DeVito’s characters don’t mix well, making their eventual rekindling feel entirely forced.
In Antonella Rose’s first major role as Claire, she delivers an admirable performance. However, director Chelsom assigns too many tasks to the character, making her overly active. Claire serves as the central figure, bringing everyone together. Yet, she also juggles various subplots involving young crushes and heartbreaks, contributing to the overall narrative as it progresses towards the unexpected Christmas-in-August finale.
A Beautiful Italian Christmas
As a film enthusiast, I must say that the visual splendor of “A Sudden Case of Christmas” is truly captivating. It’s almost like watching a 90-minute advertisement for the breathtaking landscapes of Italy. The storyline may occasionally lag, but the stunning backdrops of mountain hikes and hot air balloon rides more than make up for it. The scenery is so majestic that you might find yourself lost in wanderlust, even disregarding the dialogue. This film manages to redefine my perception of Christmas in Italy – a connection I never thought possible before.
This film titled “A Sudden Case of Christmas” is a joint venture between Notorious Pictures and Riverstone Pictures. You can stream it digitally or on-demand from Shout! Studios starting November 8th. It’s also available for rental or purchase on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango Now, and Amazon Prime Video (through the link provided below).
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2024-11-09 08:31