Flabby holiday family film needs trip to nearest gym
Here's one holiday movie that needs to go on a diet before the holidays.
"This Christmas" could very well be the flabbiest motion picture I've ever seen. Extra scenes hang on this domestic comedy-drama like bulging pounds of excess fat.
Essential scenes play on and on, adding narrative flab to an otherwise warm and sincere story about an African-American family that pulls together during tough and challenging times.
Unlike a typical, lean Clint Eastwood movie where the story's been cut to the bone, "This Christmas" resembles a roly-poly Santa Claus, right down to a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly.
The elaborate closing curtain call -- an extended party segment in which the actors mug to the camera while dancing a soul train line -- might be a wonderful souvenir for the cast or a swell bonus for the eventual DVD release. Here, it runs on longer than the end credits for a Harry Potter film.
On the plus side, "This Christmas" possesses a strong cast and a heartfelt message about both the importance of family and the necessity of forgiveness.
It takes place at the Whitfield home where a loving matriarch named Ma'Dere (Loretta Devine in divine mode) anxiously prepares for her entire scattered family to come together for the first time in four years.
Her son, U.S. Marine Claude Whitfield (Columbus Short) arrives with a white Christmas secret in tow. Bossy daughter Lisa (Regina King) wants to sell the family's dry cleaning business so her shifty hubby (Laz Alonso) can grab some fast cash.
Sister Kelli (Sharon Leal) is on to his scam and tries to yank the rose-colored glasses off Lisa's nose. Kid sis Mel (Lauren London) brings her latest flame Devean (Keith Robinson) to the big party.
Meanwhile, "Baby" Whitfield (Chris Brown) tries to find his own melodic voice in a house where his mother won't allow music, for fear he'll leave her like his rolling-stone musician father did.
The plot kicks into gear when the black sheep of the clan, Quentin (charismatic Idris Elba), arrives from Chicago with two loan sharks on his tail. Quentin has no use for Joe Black (an exquisite piece of minimalistic acting by the great Delroy Lindo), who has moved in with Ma'Dere as a life partner.
Director/writer Preston A. Whitmore II knows how to construct a comic family drama, and spark emotions between his actors.
But when it comes to ruthless cutting in the editing room, he clutches. And that explains why his movie still contains bumper-sticker dialogue like, "They say if you want to make the Lord laugh, just tell him your plans!"
"This Christmas"
Two stars out of four
Opens today
Delroy Lindo as Joe Black
Loretta Devine as Ma'Dere
Idris Elba as Quentin
Regina King as Lisa Whitfield
Chris Brown as Baby Whitfield
Columbus Short as Claude Whitfield
Written and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II. Produced by Whitmore and Will Packer. A Screen Gems release. Rated PG-13 (sexual situations, violence) Running time: 120 minutes.