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Surviving Christmas

  • 2004
  • PG-13
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
30K
YOUR RATING
Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini in Surviving Christmas (2004)
Home Video Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
52 Photos
Dark ComedyHoliday ComedyHoliday RomanceComedyHolidayRomance

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

  • Director
    • Mike Mitchell
  • Writers
    • Deborah Kaplan
    • Harry Elfont
    • Jennifer Ventimilia
  • Stars
    • Ben Affleck
    • Christina Applegate
    • James Gandolfini
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    30K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Mitchell
    • Writers
      • Deborah Kaplan
      • Harry Elfont
      • Jennifer Ventimilia
    • Stars
      • Ben Affleck
      • Christina Applegate
      • James Gandolfini
    • 171User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
    • 19Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos2

    Surviving Christmas
    Trailer 0:31
    Surviving Christmas
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    Clip 1:01
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch
    Clip 1:01
    5 Holiday Films That Deserve Another Watch

    Photos52

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Ben Affleck
    Ben Affleck
    • Drew Latham
    Christina Applegate
    Christina Applegate
    • Alicia Valco
    James Gandolfini
    James Gandolfini
    • Tom Valco
    Catherine O'Hara
    Catherine O'Hara
    • Christine Valco
    Josh Zuckerman
    Josh Zuckerman
    • Brian Valco
    Bill Macy
    Bill Macy
    • Doo-Dah
    Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison
    • Missy Vangilder
    Udo Kier
    Udo Kier
    • Heinrich
    David Selby
    David Selby
    • Horace Vangilder
    Stephanie Faracy
    Stephanie Faracy
    • Letitia Vangilder
    Stephen Root
    Stephen Root
    • Dr. Freeman
    Sy Richardson
    Sy Richardson
    • Doo-Dah Understudy
    Tangie Ambrose
    Tangie Ambrose
    • Kathryn
    John 'B.J.' Bryant
    • Cabbie
    • (as John BJ Bryant)
    Peter Jason
    Peter Jason
    • Suit
    Phill Lewis
    Phill Lewis
    • Levine the Lawyer
    Tumbleweed
    • Santa
    Kate Hendrickson
    Kate Hendrickson
    • Santa's Photographer
    • Director
      • Mike Mitchell
    • Writers
      • Deborah Kaplan
      • Harry Elfont
      • Jennifer Ventimilia
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews171

    5.529.5K
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    Featured reviews

    vchimpanzee

    Enjoyable, even if it's not the ideal family

    A good way to describe Ben Affleck's performance ishow Doo-Dah's performance as Ebenezer Scrooge was described late in the movie. "He's not bad." "He's not that good, either." I may not be remembering that exactly, but it's close.

    It's also never explained why Drew has so much money. He doesn't seem to be very good at his job, which led me to believe maybe a relative owned the company and he got an inheritance. But his family situation, explained late, which I will not give away, does not make this very likely. I will only say wherever his money came from, he doesn't have anyplace to go.

    But nearly everyone else does a good job.

    Christina Applegate is the standout performer here, with Alicia always giving everyone attitude until she finally gets to the point where she can stand Drew. If the movie was being made today, Kaley Cuoco would be perfect in the role. That's how similar their styles are.

    James Gandolfini is so good as the overly protective but greedy father. No, he doesn't want this loser around ... oh, wait, you have money? Come on in, son. Tom doesn't continue his generous attitude without conditions, but more money could change his mind.

    I saw the name Jennifer Morrison and then forgot about her, but she's not a blonde here. She was so good for so many years as Emma Swan, the real-world daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who was sent across a portal and eventually met her parents in the same real world. She's not that easy to like here, and while one expects her to be a minor character after what appears to be a breakup, she will be back. She's actually quite good (Emma too had an attitude) but greedy and shallow, and do we really want that for Drew?

    Last night I saw Bill Macy as Walter for the first time in years as Norman Lear was honored by the Kennedy Center. That was nice, and it's always good to see him. Doo-Dah is the nickname of Drew's "Grandpa" (the reason for the quotes I will not reveal), and despite what they said about him as Scrooge, he is pretty good here.

    And I will say this about "A Christmas Carol". Everyone in that does such a good job. I especially liked Ghost of Christmas Present. Too bad they have only a few lines.

    It's fun to watch Drew's scheme almost fall apart in several scenes, and to see his family struggle to keep his secret when it becomes necessary.

    The son in Drew's "family" spends lots of time on the computer and looks at porn--and one image is particularly inappropriate but it's better if you learn why by watching--so this is one of several reasons most kids shouldn't see this.

    Yes, it's silly, and it's formula, and it's not quite family-friendly, but it's fun.
    5the_usual_suspect

    Subvert that genre!

    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.
    7jpintar

    Surprisingly funny

    Surviving Christmas is a surprisingly funny movie especially considering the bad publicity when it was first released. Ben Affleck is funny as an obnoxious millionaire who pays the family that occupies his childhood home to be his family for Christmas. He then drives the family crazy with overindulgence for Christmas cheer. I have not been a Ben Affleck fan in the past (though I did like Daredevil and Paycheck) but here he is well cast in this role. I also like Christina Applegate as the daughter in the family who can't stand Affleck's character at first. Sure you can see where this movie is going but you don't care. Ignore what the critics say and rent this movie out because it is funnier than a lot of Christmas movies.
    8holtseel

    Laughed out loud!

    What a funny and well played Christmas movie! I'm surprised I've never seen it before, after all it's almost twenty years old. Must be because of the low rating - probably rated by sour puss Hallmark sentimental X-mas movie fans without a sense of humor. A new holiday favorite, I will watch it again many times in the future. I read it was Razzle nominated for worst movie and screen play that year..what's wrong with people.. See and enjoy this different and humorous Christmas movie with lovely actors. It's great to see "Kevin McAllister's mom" as a completely different mom, she's awesome in this role as well. Loved the movie! 8/10.
    6lover101

    Not-so-typical, feel good Holiday movie.

    The cast of Surviving Christmas is a sort of hodge-podge of actors/actresses. I could not have imagined ever casting them together, but it works well in the movie. It is better than the average feel-good Christmas movie, but not destined to be a classic. The comedy is well dispursed throughout, and the movie moved along at a good pace. I have seen plenty of holiday movies, but never imagined one with Ben Affleck. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I have seen an Affleck movie. (I have shunned them on purpose in the past - Well, OK, I did like Dazed and Confused). The movie, however, is entertaining, and only a few jokes fall flat. 7 out of 10 on the holiday scale.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The production was shot without a completed script. As a result, there were many delays and arguments over what to shoot. James Gandolfini admitted, in a behind the scenes interview, that most of the film was "improvised".
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Drew Latham: Please! Please, let me stay here!

      Tom Valco: No!

      Drew Latham: I'll pay you.

      Tom Valco: My family's not for sale, pal.

      Drew Latham: I'll pay you $250,000!

      Tom Valco: Welcome home, son.

    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: 'Surviving Christmas': Unwrapping the Comedy (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
      Written by Edward Pola & George Wyle

      Performed by Andy Williams

      Courtesy of Barnaby Records, Inc.

      By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 22, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • DreamWorks (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Sobreviviendo a la navidad
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Tall Trees Productions
      • LivePlanet
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,663,156
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,441,356
      • Oct 24, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,125,687
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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