IMDb >
Surviving Christmas (2004)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsSurviving Christmas (2004) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 35 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 10) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
22 October 2004 (USA)
more
Tagline:
This year, Christmas comes early. Really early. Like... October 22nd. more
Plot:
A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(33 articles)
Amy Adams 'Leap Year' trailer: More than just another witless rom-com? Or...not?
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 13 November 2009, 12:29 PM, PST)
Extra! Laura Dern Is a Focker, Mike Mitchell Enlists in Monster Squad, Screen Gems Hires The Black Phantom, and Scott Derrickson Is Among The Living
(From Collider.com. 19 October 2009, 1:43 AM, PDT)
(From EW.com - PopWatch. 13 November 2009, 12:29 PM, PST)
Extra! Laura Dern Is a Focker, Mike Mitchell Enlists in Monster Squad, Screen Gems Hires The Black Phantom, and Scott Derrickson Is Among The Living
(From Collider.com. 19 October 2009, 1:43 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Subvert that genre!
more (91 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Ben Affleck | ... | Drew Latham |
 | James Gandolfini | ... | Tom Valco |
 | Christina Applegate | ... | Alicia Valco |
 | Catherine O'Hara | ... | Christine Valco |
 | Josh Zuckerman | ... | Brian Valco |
 | Bill Macy | ... | Doo-Dah |
 | Jennifer Morrison | ... | Missy Vanglider |
 | Udo Kier | ... | Heinrich |
 | David Selby | ... | Horace Vanglider |
| Stephanie Faracy | ... | Letitia Vanglider |
 | Stephen Root | ... | Dr. Freeman |
 | Sy Richardson | ... | Doo-Dah Understudy |
 | Tangie Ambrose | ... | Kathryn |
| John 'B.J.' Bryant | ... | Cabbie |
 | Peter Jason | ... | Suit |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and a brief drug reference.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Argentina:13 |
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
Brazil:10 |
Iceland:L |
South Korea:12 |
Australia:M |
Netherlands:MG6 |
Philippines:G |
Singapore:PG |
UK:12A |
USA:PG-13
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Filming did not take place in Arlington Heights, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) because the weather was too cold.
more
Goofs:
Factual errors: About halfway through the movie Ben and Christina are sick and they turn on the TV. The song (video) playing was "Cherry Pie" by Warrant. The captions say, "Poison: Cherry Pie"
more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Drew Latham: Folks, my firm's done a tremendous amount of marketing research and we've discovered two critical things, one; most Americans feel that Christmas is a time for family. Two; most Americans feel that in order to stand being around their family, for even one or two days, they need to swill as much alcohol as humanly possible.
more
Drew Latham: Folks, my firm's done a tremendous amount of marketing research and we've discovered two critical things, one; most Americans feel that Christmas is a time for family. Two; most Americans feel that in order to stand being around their family, for even one or two days, they need to swill as much alcohol as humanly possible.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The DiCaprio Code (2006)
more
Soundtrack:
Feliz Navidad
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (91 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Surviving Christmas (2004) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Home Alone | Christmas with the Kranks | What a Way to Go! | The Stunt Man | The Ref |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
Surviving Christmas
A ridiculous and perverse premise has somehow made its way onto cinema screens this Christmas. Just like Christmas With The Kranks and The Polar Express, Surviving Christmas winds towards a festive moral that aims to fill the audience with yuletide cheer. The execution of said moral in this particular seasonal release is highly questionnaire but unmistakably funny.
Surviving Christmas has been slammed by the critics remorselessly. Nobody seems to have liked this twisted retelling of the story of Scrooge, and I believe I have found the answer: nobody likes Ben Affleck.
Affleck plays a rich ad executive who pays a dysfunctional family to take him in and make Christmas just how it was when he was a child. This seriously strange idea could, in the right hands, been a gross out smash hit in the Farrely brothers style. Instead, Mike Mitchell decides to take the whole thing a little too seriously and what results is a comedy that is uncomfortable with itself. As a result the actors are left unsure whether to play their characters straight or exaggerated. This can be all be blamed on the script, or lack thereof. Filming took place without a finished draft, and thus, parts of the film were improvised and unfunny material remains in the final cut.
Nevertheless, there are many positive attributes to this genre subverting film. James Gandolfini is very entertaining as the constantly resentful Tom Valco whose only vice, in true Christmas spirit, is money.
Ben Affleck style in comedic roles is disliked by many, but his specific brand of humour is allowed to thrive in this unnatural plot and situation driven comedy. The character of the son (Josh Zuckerman) is underdeveloped, as is the family's relationship with its neighbours, but again the unfinished script can be held accountable.
Surviving Christmas is by no means a great film, but it is certainly not as bad as it has been labelled. Unfortunately, most won't get a chance to decide for themselves until this film is released on DVD as it was grossly under marketed in the UK. An offbeat comedy and a genuine step forward for the Scrooge remakes that when given the chance to shine in its own right, works quite well.