Surviving Christmas (2004)

A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him.

Director:

Mike Mitchell

Writers:

Deborah Kaplan (story), Harry Elfont (story),

Stars:

Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate

4 nominations.

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 (as John BJ Bryant)
Peter Jason	...	Suit

Storyline

Drew Latham is an executive leading an empty, shallow life with only wealth on his side. Facing another lonely Christmas ahead, Drew wants to revisit his old childhood home and possibly relive some old holiday memories. But when he arrives, he finds that the house in which he was raised is no longer the home in which he grew up. Inhabited by another family, Drew offers a nice financial reward that has the family ringing. But is Drew's generous cash offer only the beginning of an annoying visitor who's a little too overeager to celebrate Christmas?

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | memory | childhood home | decoration | gift | 

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Taglines:

This year, Christmas comes early. Really early. Like... October 22nd.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and a brief drug reference

Details

Official Sites:

DreamWorks [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sobrevivendo ao Natal

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$4,441,356 (USA) (22 October 2004)

Gross:

$11,198,345 (USA) (19 November 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Tall Trees Productions, LivePlanet

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released to DVD just nine weeks after it opened in theaters.

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Goofs

There are no mountain ranges, such as the one depicted, within hundreds of miles of Chicago. However, it's possible that Drew, with his resources, "whisked" the family away to Colorado for the day.

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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.

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Connections

Features Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Christmas Wrapping"
Written by Chris Butler
Performed by The Hit Crew
Courtesy of Spirit Music Group, Inc.
Under license from Turn Up the Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Not as bad as I heard

This movie isn't as bad as I heard. It was enjoyable, funny and I love that is revolves around the holiday season. It totally has me in the mood to Christmas shop and listen to holiday music. When this movie comes out on DVD it will take the place of Christmas Vacation in my collection. It will be a movie to watch every year after Thanksgiving to get me in the mood for the best time of the year. I heard that Ben's character was a bit crazy but I think it just adds to the movie and why be so serious all the time. Take it for what is it, a Christmas comedy with a love twist. I enjoyed it. No, it isn't Titanic and it won't make your heart pound with anticipation but it will bring on a laugh or two. So go laugh and have a good time:)