Un Noël sans fin

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime, Hallmark and UPTV. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. 'Pete's Christmas' had the sort of premise that had strong potential of being in the former category.

'Pete's Christmas' is somewhere in the top-in between batch. It is not a great film and could have done a lot more with the 'Groundhog Day'-like premise, but it is amusing and engaging enough and a pleasant enough as long as not too much is expected. Quite a lot is good, but it doesn't avoid the traps that a lot of festive films fall into. Though other festive films have fared far worse in what 'Pete's Christmas' has wrong with it in my personal view.

Beginning with the not so good, the story is formulaic and doesn't really have anything new or special to it to make it stand out, it also felt on the over-stretched side and felt like certain things that happened could easily have happened later or been elaborated upon more. Some of the dialogue doesn't sound very natural, and can be a bit corny and sappy like towards the end.

A better job could have been done making Pete more appealing, he does come over as too whiney and some of his antics are on the repetitive side. The music doesn't really fit and is rather syrupy.

The cast do do a very nice job, especially the adult cast. Bruce Dern has the most interesting and most colourful character and has the right crustiness and class. Bailee Maddison is also adorable and brings a lot of heart. While Pete could have been written better, the supporting characters are a zesty bunch and are fun.

It looks good, with some lovely festive scenery and touches clearly shot with care and love. It's amusingly light hearted and good natured, while also heartfelt in other places. The messaging is honest and easy to get behind, while not feeling preachy. Enough of the dialogue is good natured fun and the story has enough moments where there's charm and energy.

Concluding, above average fare. 6/10.

This is a uplifting, coming of age film. The story is about Pete (Zachary Gordon) a middle child who has the worst Christmas ever. He wakes up the next day and realizes...it's Christmas day again and again and again... Will Pete fix Christmas and have the best day of his life or will he be stuck in the same day forever?

What I love about this film is the cinematography. The Christmas decorations and snow look amazing. The sets create a great atmosphere for the film. I also like the story. At first it seems cliché - boy has a bad day and has a chance to fix it - standard issue. However, the pacing is different. Instead of it being just a few days of Pete reliving the same day, it feels like months before he realizes that he can affect the outcome of his Christmas. At first I didn't like this, but once I thought out it as a coming of age film I accepted the change. One think that was distracting to me is the writing. Don't get me wrong, the dialog is fine. I just think the set-up for the story is rushed. The writers wanted the story to go a certain way and forced it by placing the pieces together instead of writing as if the characters were living through this situation.

My favorite character is Grandpa (Bruce Dern). He's a grumpy man who doesn't want to get the cold shoulder this Christmas. I love how Bruce plays this role, how he wants to spend time with family. Sadly he wants Christmas to be like his dead wife's Christmases. In his mind, the family doesn't celebrate it right.

My favorite scene is when Pete tells his dad why Grandpa judges their Christmas. I pick this scene for one reason - the reaction on the father's face. He takes his time to roll through all the emotions and it's just perfect.

The moral here is, "It's not what you put in the box that matters. It's what you take out." No matter how much Pete recreates Christmas and gets what he wants, he stills feels that something is missing, something that is important in Christmas. Giving!

I rate this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to 6 to 15-year-olds. Younger kids can enjoy the funny moments and the merriness. When you get a little bit older, you know the story is predictable but it is still a movie to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Reviewed by Keefer B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more youth reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org.

Pete Kidder (Zachary Gordon) is having a bad Christmas. He makes a bad first impression with new neighbor Katie (Bailee Madison). He can't do anything right. His dad got downsized. His grandfather is judgmental. His mother's cooking has gone wrong. His brothers are annoying. Then Christmas day starts again.

This has some good adult actors (Bruce Dern, Molly Parker, Rick Roberts). The filmmaking is lackluster. The kid is rather average. That's both fitting and a little bland. The first repeat should have done more. Instead, the movie skips a lot of it and it keeps skipping. He keeps doing the same thing for far too long. It's not that hard. This Groundhog Day premise should have faster progression and Pete is just too whiney. He's also a little bit of an idiot and not the funny kind. I can't believe that the older kids are still talking about Santa with respect to the presents. Grandpa should not be tried so early. He should be left all to the last act to finish the movie. There is a better progression to be done. The premise could work with better writing.

Everyone in the family (except for the grandparent) were so annoying, they were driving me mad! At the end is Ok.

The kids work well in it.

The Premise works quite well.

It is just a feel good xmas story but its good xmas entertainment.

The sound is ok The Photography is ok The Acting is ok The Plot is ok.

Its worth a watch 👍