This film might be relatively predictable but it contains an epilogue which raises it and ties up some loose ends, something romantic comedies seldom do.
Sarah Jessica Parker stars as the stiff, overly professional Meredith Morton, dating the eldest Stone son, Everett (Dermont Mulroney) and he brings her home to meet his family for Christmas and to ask for his grandmother's engagement ring so he can propose to Meredith.
Now, his family is pretty laid back and carefree, but they have their secrets so it does not go well with Meredith. She commits a faux pas when she mentions that parents don't really wish for a gay child, creating an awkward moment as Everett's brother, Thad (Ty Giordano) is gay, married to an African American, Patrick (Brian White) and is also severely hearing impaired. Naturally, that doesn't well, and Meredith leaves the dinner in a huff.
And then things get interesting. Ben (Luke Wilson), the last Stone brother, rescues her and finally gets Meredith to relax and gets her drunk. In the meantime, Everett and Meredith's younger, more relaxed and accepting sister, Julie (Claire Danes) look for Meredith and can't find her. You know that Everett doesn't love Meredith, he loves Julie instead. So the couples switch. Sybil (Diane Keaton) tries to set up Julie with Ben but that doesn't work. The most awkward and best moment of the film is when Kelly, the patriarch (Craig T. Nelson) barges into Ben's room and finds Meredith there instead.
Rachel McAdams is also great as the youngest Stone child who hates Meredith more than you can imagine. But Meredith does redeem herself with the most touching Christmas present ever made all the poignant as Sybil is dying of breast cancer.
Sure, this film isn't going to win any awards (and didn't) but it was nevertheless a fully enjoyable way to spend the evening. I loved how effortlessly each member would incorporate sign language as they were talking so Thad would understand what was going on. Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment