A Sudden Case of Christmas

This is a remake of an Italian film, Improvvisamente Natale.

Lucy Devito and Wilmer Valdarrama are Abbie and Jacob Randall. Though they normally visit her father (Danny Devito) in Italy over Christmas, this year they show up in August.

The reason? They're separating and want Gramps to break it to their precocious daughter Claire (Antonella Rose). She's very good but because of her character being in therapy, she talks like a 40-year-old college professor.

Claire is way ahead of them - she's figured it out - and requests one last family Christmas there in the Dolomites. This means her father's parents also have to make the trip.

The scenery is breathtaking, and it's really the star.

Despite the presence of DeVito, it lacks the hilarity usually associated with him.

There's a lovely message, and it's a decent family film, but it's no great shakes and doesn't feel all that Christmassy.

This movie reminds me of "Mixed Nuts," which for me is not a good thing. This movie is all over the place. So many plot lines start and don't follow through, the agendas of the characters get lost throughout the movie, the poster looks like a Christmas movie, which it's not. There's a lot of adults cheating on each other, so it's not a family movie. Just weird. I'd skip it. The only good thing about the movie is the landscape shots of Italy. I couldn't wait for the movie to end. Also, this isn't a comedy. There's nothing funny about it. It's definitely a lame drama. That was my first and last watch.

I'm giving this sweet film 9 stars mostly for the great Acting and beautiful setting. The story doesn't seem too unrealistic like some Hollywood movie plots tend to lean - that turns me off as a viewer since I prefer realistic and relatable story lines. I came for a Christmas movie, which it isn't really, its about family and forgiveness. The young actress playing Claire is outstanding! Danny is also fabulous, as is the entire cast. I definitely recommend this film is you like a cozy little story. It has a little comedy, a little romance, a little culture, and a little suspense - something for everyone.

Where to start with this. The characters are just odd.... And their lives are boring. That's basically the 2 major issues here.

The movie is just boring.

About half way through I catch myself wondering about the running time. That's when you know you have a problem when your thoughts turn to "when is this over."

Eventually I was so disinterested I just played video games with it running in another monitor hoping it gets better.. And eventually it just got obnoxious to the level I just had to turn it off.

If I had to say anything good about it. They all played their parts well (poorly written as it was). So there was that I guess.

Apply performed by all. It's just. People don't act like that. It's like the author had never seen a human before. And at some point I can see even the storyteller must have caught on because they appear to add quirky characters to fill in a lack luster story.

But their so poorly written themselves that it only makes it worse.

2 stars for Danny Devito.. Sorry that's all I have to give.

I've just finished watching A Sudden Case of Christmas, and while some viewers may not fully grasp the underlying message, I certainly did. I found myself identifying with Claire from the moment I started watching. As a child, every Christmas, I was filled with anxiety, fearing that my parents would argue and that we wouldn't be able to celebrate at home with all of my cousins. I vividly recall a particular year when my aunt couldn't make it, and I was deeply upset because the holidays were always at their best when spent with my cousins. The central theme of the film is undeniably clear: no matter the differences that may exist between people, it is imperative to put them aside and come together to celebrate Christmas as a family. Watching Danny DeVito's performance was like the proverbial cherry on top-he is, without a doubt, an extraordinarily charming and hilarious presence. The dynamic between Claire and Danny was truly heartwarming, evoking both laughter and tears. The hotel staff member was equally entertaining, and the cinematography was simply breathtaking. The children's performances were endearing, adding a layer of sweetness to the film. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this movie.