- Sensibility: The progression of the relationship with Fish and the extreme strain of the family dynamics are a bit far-fetched but not to an uncomfortable level.
- Cinematography: Production design and costuming are excellent and critical to the film. This film is dated in just the right way, even down to the title-cards and transitions.
- Energy: The constant dialogue and activity in the film leaves little room for rest. The few moments with lulls are welcome and help enhance the intimacy and meaning of the interactions.
- Narrative: This film, although corny and often a bit slap-stick, has moments of great drama and tension that convey universal and important messages about family. This film is also a shining example of dialogue writing, with witty and rapid-fire dialogue that is often hilarious and endlessly quotable. The density of dialogue means that there's always something new to glean from the film, even on the umpteenth watch.
It has plenty of the derivative, rom-com/holiday movie tropes but it executes them in a way that makes them far more tolerable than the typical Hallmark film.
- T-Points: The film received three bonus points: one for a great conversation between parents and daughter in a car, one for a great bit of chicanery from Robert Downey Jr's character, and one for brilliant dialogue writing and editing.
This film is an annual holiday watch for my family. It is fun, witty, hilarious, and endlessly quote-able.
Number of Watches: 5+
