By Paul Hall
Almost Christmas is the new film from director David E. Talbert, featuring a look at a family coming together to rally around its patriarch. Walter Meyers (Danny Glover) lost his lovely wife at the beginning of the year and this will be the first Christmas without her. Can Walter’s family join together to make it through the holiday?
Walter is a truly giving man. His wife had always been by his side and together they made the world a better place with their large family and charitable endeavors. Now living life on his own in the big family home, Walter has invited the entire family back to Birmingham for the holidays. Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) brings husband Lonnie (J.B. Smoove) along with a bitter rivalry with her sister Rachel (Gabrielle Union). Christian (Romany Malco) is running for office and shows up with his wife, Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker), and of course his campaign manager, Brooks (John Michael Higgins). Plus, youngest son Evan (Jessie Usher) and Aunt May (Mo’Nique) are in for the five days leading up to Christmas. Yes, it is a dysfunctional group, but there is more at the heart of this visit.
The whole family is hurting from the loss of the glue that was their mother, sister and loving wife. Can they grieve together nearly a year after her passing, or is this family bound to self-destruct before they celebrate?
This is a plot that we have seen many times before with different casts of characters. But credit goes to the casting director for bringing together an entirely likable set of actors to play the members of this family. We believe and like even the scroogiest characters they bring to the screen. With a tone set from the very beginning of the film, we want Walter to survive and thrive. As viewers we want to strangle those getting out of line — or at least help them down a path that does right by Walter.
And we laugh. There are a lot of solid laughs in this holiday offering. But be prepared: There are a number of moments that jump off the laugh train and turn serious. We also are able to grieve with the Meyers family as so many family gatherings, we know, don’t always go according to plan. Tears of joy and of sadness are a reality in Almost Christmas.
It’s not all chestnuts and Frosty — though he does get a funny tune-up on the roof of the Meyers home. Mo’Nique’s language at times is the one place we veer off the polar express to making this a sweeter family film. Funny? Yes. Appropriate? Not sure.
Almost Christmas has a very real and genuine feel to the film. It is a solid addition to the holiday-film landscape with a likable family that puts us in the right spirit as we head into the always hectic lives we all live over the holidays. Slow down, grab a bucket of popcorn and start your holiday season with family, friends and the Meyers family. A merry Almost Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Almost Christmas
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Mo’Nique
Director: David E. Talbert
Grade: B-
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