"Almost Christmas" - In the End, Family Matters Most : A Review

Sometimes, not every movie we see is Disney related. And occasionally, there are good, non-Disney movies worth sharing. Walt Disney once said, “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.” With that, we were invited to a screening of a new Christmas movie. “Almost Christmas” from Universal Pictures. Guest reviewer, Justine H., gladly took the opportunity to see this film starring Danny Glover and Gabrielle Union. Take a moment and read her review – and then go see this funny, new Christmas movie!

“Almost Christmas” is not your ‘cookie cutter Family Christmas movie,’ but this dysfunctional family comedy is worth the watch. The movie captures the Christmas spirit while also showing the hilarious things you hope will never happen at your Christmas dinner. The family characters are very relatable – from the little kids with phones glued to their hands, to the crazy aunt that always makes Christmas interesting. All and all, you will get a big laugh out of this movie, when they say it’s a comedy, they really mean it. The funny scenes make you laugh. The sad parts, though, will make you genuinely cry.

The character cast did an amazing job, really making this movie a complete package. Danny Glover (Walter) did fantastic as always; he has a couple scenes that will pull on the heart strings. Jessie Usher’s surprisingly touching character (Evan), did really good with the emotional scenes. Mo’Nique as Aunt May was HILARIOUS. The big family drama revolving around Gabrielle Union (Rachel) and Kimberly Elise (Cheryl), sisters in the movie, have a hostile relationship that is a ticking time bomb! That ‘bomb’ does go off at the climax of the movie with a promise that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Keep in mind, this is a PG-13 movie. I would not make it the traditional family-sit-around movie, but it is definitely a great movie for all the adults when the kids go to bed! If you are looking for feel-good Christmas cheer, you will find it with this movie. There are very specific things in the movie that are important to a family, just like we have in our own families, from the foods we make every year to the stories we always talk about. The ‘dysfunctional family’ is something that everyone can relate to in some way. This movie just reminds us that it’s okay to have chaos on Christmas Day, because in the end, family is what matters and family will always be there for each other.

A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series, This Christmas), Almost Christmas tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.
The all-star cast of Almost Christmas is led by Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher and DC Young Fly.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS has been rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) for suggestive material, drug use and language.

**Disclosure: We were invited to a special screening of Almost Christmas in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own. No other compensation was received.

Maria H. (ndm#130)

A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.

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