23 décembre

23 Décembre is a Christmas comedy that's meant to be light, make you laugh, and make you feel good.

It succeeds... partially

First, the movie has clear... preachy elements that are a little cringe and are sometimes patronizing. That being said, it's not overly moralizing in that department so there is still enjoyment to be found. In some instances, it's unclear if the film is making fun of modern culture or celebrating it, so that could be seen as a positive.

However, the scenario by India Desjardins is really average. It's like a pale imitation of Love Actually. It's a bunch of little stories that take place on December 23rd and that's about it. Everyone is struggling with something and the entire point is to watch them navigate that day. That would be fine, except the stories aren't really that interesting. The dialogues are not that well-written either, despite some nice ideas here are there. Some stories will hold your attention more than others, but none of them really stand out.

The acting also falls flat most of the time. Despite some big name actors, they have little to work with here. I don't know if it's the script's fault or the directing by Miryam Bouchard, but the acting felt stilted, unnatural, and some of the actors seemed to be there just to get a paycheck.

Did I laugh a few times? Sure. It's a bubbly film that tries really hard to be funny. And it can be, a little. But it ends up failing on too many fronts. And you come out of there thinking... that was it? It will certainly not go down as a Christmas classic that everyone will be watching year after year.

The movie lacks interest, substantial humor, and emotional payoff. It feels hastily assembled, culminating with a poorly chosen Christmas song that's indistinguishable from countless others in the film. It serves as a reminder of the 23rd, portraying a day where nothing noteworthy unfolds. Most characters lack depth and substance, including David, who appears as a less charismatic figure, merely serving as the crush of one of Quebec's most beautiful stars. Many other characters fall as flat, and their abundance overwhelms the film's runtime of 90 minutes, detracting from a potentially enjoyable experience.