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On paper, “Christmas with
the Kranks” reads like a “can’t miss” comedy
with a lot more potential than the lame lump of
coal that’s been dumped in our cinema stocking
this holiday season. For openers, it stars Tim
Allen (“The Santa Clause 1 & 2”) and Jamie Lee
Curtis (“Freaky Friday”), both of whom are known
for this sort of family fare.
Plus the production is
stocked with such consummate comedians as Dan
Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, Caroline Rhea and Tom
Poston. And rounding-out the supporting cast are
well-respected character actors like M. Emmet
Walsh and Jake Busey.
The movie was even directed
by Joe Roth, whose previous picture, “America’s
Sweethearts,” was a hilarious hit, and its
screenwriter was Christopher Columbus, who wrote
and/or directed a string of wholesome hits,
including “Home Alone 1 & 2.”
Perhaps the problem had to
do with the source material, as the story is
based on the book “Skipping Christmas,” an
uncharacteristic departure by John Grisham.
This transparent tale takes
place in suburban Chicago, where Luther (Allen)
and Nora (Curtis) Krank are facing the prospect
of spending their first Christmas without their
daughter, Blair (Julie Gonzalo), who is off in
Peru, serving in the Peace Corps. Rather than
get swept up in all of the obligatory rituals of
the frenzied season, such as rushing around
shopping malls, exchanging fruitcakes and
hosting their annual holiday party, the couple
opts to avoid all the insanity by treating
themselves to a Caribbean cruise.
But when word of their
blasphemous plan spreads around their completely
Christian cul-de-sac, their nosy neighbors, led
by busybody Vic Frohmeyer (Aykroyd), decide to
intervene. For unless the Kranks reconsider,
their darkened house’s exterior will ruin the
block by being the only one on Hemlock Street
unadorned by festive lights.
So, for the balance of this
misfiring misadventure, everybody in town takes
turns trying to embarrass Luther and Nora into
changing their minds. This includes not just
friends, but local cops looking for a donation
and a prudish parish priest offended by the idea
of their patronizing a tanning salon. The
picture’s defective premise rests on the
debatable notion that there is something wrong
with anyone inclined to celebrate the season
with anything other than the socially sanctioned
traditions.
Of course, some
pathetically predictable plot twists and syrupy
sentimentality, which could only amuse a five
year-old lead the Kranks back to their
materialistic senses in time for a Kodak moment
which shouts a rather shallow Merry Capitalism
to all!
Poor (0 stars); rated PG
for slightly salty language and for some
sexually suggestive material. It is showing at
Hoyts Cinema in Bangor. |
