Thanksgiving is knocking on our doors and the big day is barely a month away. If you do not go into hibernation each year during this time, you would know that it’s the christmas season and christmas movies are gonna rain on us soon. Opening this Christmas season is the Love the Coopers and here’s what to expect from it…
Love the Coopers is a narration of events that unfold as a four generations-large family comes together to celebrate Christmas eve. Yes, you read that right- four generations; that is a lot of people (more than you see in the picture above). And the movie tries to focus on each person, their story and their relationship issues in 100 minutes. Seems like a short time to fit in all that drama. Surprise surprise, the movie somehow manages to stretch the threads of time to fit in all of that and leave space for more. The movie makes you feel like you have been with the family forever (believe me, I thought I was in there for 3 hours) and it's not in a magical way. But it is a feel good movie with a hint of comedy. Only it would be unjust to call it a comedy, because between every giggle they get out of you, they will make you wait for an eternity.
Moving at the speed of a snail might be the biggest reason for the downfall of this movie. But hey, it’s a Christmas movie and that gives it a fighting chance if a few of those characters hit the right cord with the audience. With the bouquet of stories it has to offer, I’m sure that you will relate to at least one of them, no matter how old you are. The big question being, are you ready to slug through the rest of them too?
Coming to the performances, it is almost impossible to cover the complete cast. But as a highlight, Alan Arkin (Argo) and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.) surely make their performances lovable and believable if not Oscar-worthy. But what makes a Christmas movie kindle the holiday feeling is the narration. Steve Martin nails the role with his charismatic voice (you should watch this clip to believe his versatility).
To sum it up, Love the Coopers is akin to an archer pulling a bunch of polished arrows out of his quiver and firing them all at once, hoping at least one hits the target. Only I’m not sure that works for a movie. But like I said, it’s hard to hate a Christmas movie.
Grade: C+/B-
Moving at the speed of a snail might be the biggest reason for the downfall of this movie. But hey, it’s a Christmas movie and that gives it a fighting chance if a few of those characters hit the right cord with the audience. With the bouquet of stories it has to offer, I’m sure that you will relate to at least one of them, no matter how old you are. The big question being, are you ready to slug through the rest of them too?
Coming to the performances, it is almost impossible to cover the complete cast. But as a highlight, Alan Arkin (Argo) and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.) surely make their performances lovable and believable if not Oscar-worthy. But what makes a Christmas movie kindle the holiday feeling is the narration. Steve Martin nails the role with his charismatic voice (you should watch this clip to believe his versatility).
To sum it up, Love the Coopers is akin to an archer pulling a bunch of polished arrows out of his quiver and firing them all at once, hoping at least one hits the target. Only I’m not sure that works for a movie. But like I said, it’s hard to hate a Christmas movie.
Grade: C+/B-
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