Seen on: December 12, 2008

The players: Director: Alfredo De Villa, Writers: Rick Najera, Alison Swan, Ted Perkins-Lopez, Cast: John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Melonie Diaz, Alfred Molina

Facts of interest: De Villa also directed "Adrift in Manhattan."

The plot: Nothing goes according to plan when the Rodriguez family comes together to celebrate the holidays.

Our thoughts: “Nothing Like the Holidays” is a good alternative to “Four Christmases.” It’s not as silly or as mainstream, but it promotes a similar holiday spirit and will certainly entertain those looking for exactly that. It’s a harmless little film without big surprises, but it has its charm, no doubt.

Christmas is the only time the entire Rodriguez family gets to spend together, but this year, nothing goes according to plan. Instead of bringing along presents, everybody comes home loaded with personal troubles or complaints. And it starts with Anna (Elizabeth Pena) telling her kids she’ll divorce her husband Edy (Alfred Molina).

With one cat out of the bag, it’s time for every family member to unpack: daughter Roxanna (Vanessa Ferlito) can’t get to launch her career as an actress in Hollywood, her brother Mauricio (John Leguizamo) can’t convince his wife Sarah (Debra Messing) to have a baby with him, and for Jesse (Freddy Rodriguez), returning home from Iraq means battling his feelings for an old flame.

There’s a whole lot more going on in Alfredo De Villa’s “Nothing Like the Holidays,” an overall enjoyable family comedy that follows a bunch of eccentric characters trying to figure out who they really are and where they belong. Past confrontations are brought up again, tears are shed and hidden truths are revealed, but in the end, the power of family leads everyone into the right direction.

Some jokes work while others don’t, but as a whole, the spicy humor of the film keeps the plot moving at a refreshing pace. The main story line is rather simplistic and doesn’t really go into too much depth in terms of its characters, but it’s the excellent ensemble cast that keeps the movie alive throughout.

Everyone you see on the screen brings along plenty of energy. Alfred Molina and John Leguizamo were my favorites on the men’s side, while the charming Vanessa Ferlito and Elizabeth Pena inject the film with fiery girl power. Debra Messing and Luis Guzman tried a little too hard for my taste, by they are by no means too annoying.

Freaky quote: “I just want to enjoy Christmas with my family, not that they make it so easy." – Alfred Molina

The final word: “Holidays” doesn’t teach us a new lesson, but as a seasonal family flick boasting a passable dose of laughs, enough energy and decent pacing, it certainly serves its purpose without repeating itself all too much. It’s not a memorable film, but it isn’t a waste of time or money either.

Article by Franck Tabouring