Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Alia Shawkat | ... | Vanessa | |
Hugh Laurie | ... | David | |
Oliver Platt | ... | Terry | |
Allison Janney | ... | Cathy | |
Catherine Keener | ... | Paige | |
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Ian Helfer | ... | Christmas Caroler |
Marceline Hugot | ... | Christmas Caroler | |
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Laura Flanagan | ... | Christmas Caroler |
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Curtis McClarin | ... | Christmas Caroler |
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Jay Reiss | ... | Christmas Caroler |
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Sarah Saltzberg | ... | Christmas Caroler |
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Sam Rosen | ... | Ethan |
Leighton Meester | ... | Nina | |
Adam Brody | ... | Toby | |
Aya Cash | ... | Maya |
In conservative West Orange, New Jersey, the Ostroff and Walling families are very close. David Walling and Terry Ostroff are inseparable best friends and run together everyday. David has problems with his wife, Paige. He frequently sleeps alone in his office. Their daughter, Vanessa, is frustrated because she has not succeeded in her career as a designer. Their son, Toby, is moving to China on a temporary assignment. Terry's wife, Cathy, ignores him. Their daughter Nina moved to San Francisco five years ago. Near Thanksgiving, Nina's boyfriend Ethan betrays her at his birthday party and Nina returns to her parents house. Nina argues with her mother and draws closer to David. Soon they have an affair and fall in love, turning the lives of the people close to them upside-down. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I was keen to view this picture after seeing the trailer as I've seen all these actors in various roles over the years. There is such a great range of talent here and they all looked like they were having fun in a comedy with darker moments. This is a film about consequences after all and is not really a romcom romp nor a morality tale. It reminds me of a suburban memoir and the writing reflects this. The short season between Thanksgiving and Christmas has been done to death in American cinema, with all of the inherent conflicts, compulsory traditions and conspicuous consumption. The writers have used this backdrop to do something ever-so-slightly subversive.
Leighton Meester and Alia Shawkat are wonderful in their respective roles as the lifelong neighbours/friends who are further entangled in a world they really want to leave behind. I hope this becomes a Christmas classic. Hugh Laurie, Allison Janney, Catherine Keener & Oliver Platt - who could ask for anything more?