Four Christmases DVD Review

Just in time for the holidays is the DVD releases of Four Christmases, one of the best Christmas movies available this season on DVD.  From Director Seth Gordon and New Line Cinema, the movie stars Vince Vaughn and Reece Witherspoon as a couple that has been together for three years yet has no intention of marriage.  They are put on the spot when their separated parents discover they are not going away on a missions trip for Christmas as they suggested.

The essence of the Four Christmases plot centers on Brad (Vaughn) and Kate (Witherspoon) as they make four separate visits to each of their divorced parents households.  One by one, the visits give evolving meaning to the concept of dysfunctional families.

Brad’s family includes his dad (Robert Duvall) and two overzealous MMA fighting brothers (Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw) and his mother (Sissy Spacek) who is dating one of Brad’s best friends from childhood, twenty years her younger.

Kate’s family includes an out of touch mother (Mary Steenburgen) and an odd but family-oriented sister (Kristin Chenoweth), and a father who appears to be distant with his love.

As a fan of Vince Vaughn movies, it is hard not to get caught up in the hype of Four Christmases.  His leading lady is the stellar Reece Witherspoon and the supporting cast in the film is amazing and deep.  However, Four Christmases would not rank among the best Vince Vaughn movies of all time.

There are some nice, funny moments, particularly the time spent in Brad’s dad’s household with his over the top brothers.  However, while the movie is moderately entertaining, there simply are not as many memorable takeaways from Four Christmases as there should be, and as you would expect with such a stellar cast.

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 88 Minutes
DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009

Grade: B-

Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Reece Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Jon Voigt, Mary Steenburgen, Tim McGraw, Sissy Spacek, Kristin Chenoweth, Dwight Yoakem

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!