A Merry Little Ex-Mas

Review: One of Netflix’s SEVERAL Christmas movies they released this year, this rom com stars Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson as a couple going through a divorce, while attempting to have one last normal Christmas with their family. Featuring supporting performances from Jameela Jamil, Pierson Fodé, & Melissa Joan Hart, the film has a fun cast of characters interacting with the leads. The film also features the film debut of Wilder Hudson, Oliver Hudson’s real life son, as the couple’s son. I personally connected with the nerdy boyfriend of their daughter, Nigel (Timothy Innes), who works as a Harry Potter tour guide. For a while I thought the film might actually stray away from the predictable ending, but it did end up going about how I thought it would. I’ve said this before though, I don’t think that’s necessarily a detractor for a Christmas movie like this because the familiarity can be comforting.

High: Honestly, this film balanced the cheesiness it was inevitably going to have really well with some much needed self awareness. That resulted in a movie that actually exceeded my expectations and had me pretty engaged. My usual thought on films like this is that they are good to turn on maybe while you’re doing something else Christmas related like wrapping presents. But this one is one that I think you could just sit on down and watch distraction free. Usually these Netflix films are a step above the Hallmark type films, but I’d say this one is even a (small) step above the usual Netflix rom coms.

Low: I mean even with all my positive comments, there is still a ceiling on how good a movie like this can be. I think it reached that ceiling, but the ceiling is still there nonetheless. Maybe that’s unfair of me to put those limitations and detraction on the film, but I feel as though that’s an accurate assumption.

Rating: 6/10