Nothing Like the Holidays
Nothing Like the Holidays is a typical home-for-the-holidays movie that brings a slice of life realism and a touch of warmth to the Christmas season with a Latino twist. In a similar vein to The Family Stone or Tyler Perry’s This Christmas, you have all the typical players: The favorite son, the son whose married to someone no one is sure they like, the daughter who is isn’t who everyone thinks she is and the parents whose great marriage may not be so great. All surrounded by a cast of lovable extras who reminds them of what family is all about.
Why make this type of movie again? Because it works so well.
It works especially well by giving a fresh glimpse at the tried but true story through the eyes of a Puerto Rican family in Chicago. Edy (Alfred Molina, Dock Ock in Spiderman Man 2) runs a market/café in a Hispanic neighborhood and dreams of turning it over to his youngest son Jessy (Freddy Rodriguez)who’s just returned home from Iraq and is dealing with painful scars. Edy’s wife Anna (Elizabeth Peña) is the mom who is trying to keep her family together even as she senses her marriage is falling apart. Mauricio (John Leguizamo, The Happening) is the oldest son who wants everything to stay the same even as his go-getter white, Jewish wife Sarah (Debra Messing, Will and Grace) seems to be the only one that understands everything going on. And daughter Roxanna (Vanessa Ferlito) rounds out the family as the struggling actress feeling a strong pull back to home.
Yes, it’s typical. Yes, the trailer comes across as a minority remake of a white Christmas tale. But, honestly, I thought it was fantastic. I think we need more films like this and similar ones by Tyler Perry. I want my kids to know Christmas and family fun and family problems don’t just come in one color.
My favorite line from the movie, which is in the trailer, comes when Mauricio’s wife Sarah whispers to him, ‘Why’s everybody fighting?’ as things get louder and more intense around the dinner table, to which Mauricio responds, ‘We aren’t fighting, we’re conversatin.’ (no ‘g’)
This is a movie where you can picture yourself being part of the conversation. It just feels like home.
Rating: 
