The holiday season is filled with family, love, and a touch of chaos. Almost Christmas directed by David E Talbert, delivers all of that in a heartfelt and comedic package. The comedy-drama contains relatable family tensions with holiday cheer, which composes a film that is entertaining but also sincere. The film follows a grieving Danny Glover, who plays Walter after he loses his wife. He decides to host his family for Christmas. He knows that it may be difficult, but his one Christmas wish is for his family to get along and have a peaceful holiday. However, his four adult children make this a formidable challenge. The family faces unexpected obstacles, from kitchen drama to romantic complications which test their ability to cooperate. Regardless of the drama, secrets, and mishaps, the family learns together how to cope with the grief and loss of their mother and wife. They come to appreciate the value of one another and at the end of the week, they become a united family.

 The performances put on by the actors and actresses make the movie stand out among others. The cast includes impressive actors like Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Mo’Nique, and Kimberly Elise. Watching the movie gave the impression that these actors had effortless chemistry, ensuring a gratifying experience that promised both laughs and sentimental resonance. Gabrielle Union and Kimberly Elise play Walters’ daughters Cheryl and Rachel, and Jessie T. Usher and Romany Malco play his sons, Evan and Christian. Danny Glover delivers a grounded and heartwarming role as he portrays a grieving father. His nuanced performance gives the film emotional weight which creates a contrast to the comedic role played by other actors. Gabrielle Union and Kimberly Elise stand out as sisters with opposing personalities, which creates an authentic dynamism in their relationship. Mo’Nique is the highlight of every scene she is in with her perfect comedic timing, making a spectacle of every situation. Without the meticulous selection of these actors, I think the movie would have lost its allure as the plot is somewhat cliche. 

David E Talbert does a remarkable job balancing comedy along with drama which effectively lures the watcher in. Although some of his scenes can be a bit too predictable, the script which often includes hilarious and witty jokes masks the obvious foreshadowing as to what’s to come. The script allows the characters to feel authentic to viewers, flawed, funny, and charming. Through this, the audience is forced to root for reconciliation and growth. The inclusion of scenes with deep sentimental value to the characters exposes a raw side of them, giving depth to their usual hostility toward each other. To balance comedy and the undertones of loss and healing, Talbert uses a warm and festive aesthetic. Carefully framed shots of bustling dinners, holiday lights, and family activities like football enhance the holiday spirit. One flaw of his directing is that some scenes lasted longer than they should have, causing others not to stand out as much as he had intended. Despite minor flaws, Talbert’s direction allowed the film to be successful and capture both hilarity and love. 

I found Almost Christmas to be a charming and enjoyable film that included opposite sides of the movie genre spectrum. In one scene you have comedy, the other drama and romance, and another scene has a heartwarming realization. The ability to include and diversify the script astonishes me as one of the director’s talents. Mo’Nique played Aunt May, which may be the most unforgettable character I have ever seen. Her ability to make a joke of any situation that not only had perfect timing but made me laugh was masterful. An essential element of the film was observing these adults navigate personal grief through the holidays. This experience is not often shared with younger viewers. The movie offers a valuable lesson for teens that even adults lash out with anger, struggle with sibling relationships, and find it difficult to cope with loss. This film will make you laugh, cry, and realize the value of your family, which are all hallmarks of a perfect holiday movie. It is a compelling choice for anyone interested in a well-rounded film.