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This Christmas

Spending the holidays with this family is a breeze

By Geoff Berkshire

November 21, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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Secrets are revealed and family bonds are strengthened as the large Whitfield clan—including matriarch Ma’ Dere (Loretta Devine) and her six grown children (Idris Elba, Regina King, Sharon Leal, Columbus Short, Lauren London and Chris Brown)—gather to celebrate the holidays.

Big question: Is this holiday drama done right or just seasonal schmaltz?

Catch it: Writer-director Preston A. Whitmore II was responsible for one of last year’s worst movies, the amateurish street basketball drama “Crossover,” so it’s especially surprising that “This Christmas” proves to be such a likeable endeavor. A terrific cast—also including Delroy Lindo and Mekhi Phifer—creates a family worth caring about and Whitmore does an impressive job balancing the numerous story strands while adding just enough light humor to complement the tender melodrama.

Skip it: If you can’t stand Christmas music. It’s nearly wall-to-wall here, including the title song performed by pop star cast member Brown. But what would you expect, Marilyn Manson?

Bottom line: In a lot of ways this feels like the movie Tyler Perry has been trying to make for years now—just less stage bound and better acted. “This Christmas” doesn’t break any dramatic molds, but it’s a satisfying package lovingly wrapped with warm-hearted spirit. That should be enough to earn it an enviable place on the list of cinematic holiday perennials.

Bonus: Not just any movie can pull off two cast dance numbers (one in character and one before the end credits with the ensemble just goofing off), but "This Christmas" has the smooth moves to make them work.