Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Surviving Christmas (2004)

Director: Mike Mitchell

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

At what moment, exactly, did Ben Affleck strip himself of all credibility? Was it back in 1998, after the open-bloused beefcake GQ cover? Was it the flabbergasting scene in the ‘Jenny from the Block’ video where he kissed J-Lo’s ass? Was it ‘Jersey Girl’ in its entirety? Troubled BenWatch constituents may take heart that at some point all this bad luck and worse judgement may transform itself into a little watchable pathos, but that day has not arrived in time for ‘Surviving Christmas’. Shallow ad exec Affleck, afraid to spend Yuletide alone after his shrill girlfriend dumps him, returns to his childhood home and offers a cool $250,000 to the Grinchy couple now in residence (James Gandolfini and Catherine O’Hara). The result has all the sophistication of a frat-house improv show after the keg’s been kicked. The moral is that money can indeed buy happiness.

Author: JWin

Time Out London Issue 1789: December 01-08 2004


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Ridley Scott interview

Ridley Scott interview

Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback

Cannes Film Festival 2012: half-time report

Cannes Film Festival 2012: half-time report

Dave Calhoun reports on the hits, misses and a shocking new masterpiece from Michael Haneke

Wes Anderson interview

Wes Anderson interview

Cath Clarke talks to the director of Cannes's opening film

Open-air movies in London

Open-air movies in London

Cath Clarke rounds up this summer's crop of outdoor film screenings

The 100 best French films

The 100 best French films

In honour of Cannes, we reveal the best French films of all time

Ken Loach interview

Ken Loach interview

Ken Loach talks to us about his Cannes Film Festival entry 'The Angels' Share'