An Unconventional Holiday Tale: 'Christmas with the Kranks'
Christmas with the Kranks was a film about a couple named Luther and Nora Krank, portrayed by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, who decide to avoid the traditional Christmas celebrations every year. Instead they prefer a Caribbean cruise when Blair is in Peru. There is one moment of the comedy when Blair decides to come home and the Kranks have to set Christmas back in order in a matter of a few days. Indeed, the film based on John Grisham’s ‘Skipping Christmas’ tells a story about accepting the traditions and the community even if the holiday season is a rather chaotic. Despite starting as a more or less scathing commentary of Christmas and everything related to it, it ends with the all important message of unity. It is mainly a Christmas comedy, with many humorous scenes, silly actions presented by the main characters whose problem is solved in a funny and kind of ridiculous way. Jamie Lee Curtis is equally impressive as Nora; though anxious and at times somewhat nervously high-strung, she is also charming and quite maternal. The chemistry between these two leads is very obviously there and Dan Aykroyd’s neurotic gloriously into-the-camera neighbor adds this hilarious layer of increased pressure.
As Joe Roth strives to turn this comedic bedlam into a lesson about the importance of traditions, the film feels distinctly of its time. However, some scenes seem a bit over the top; but generally, due to the fast pace of the storyline and believable holiday stress, Roth succeeds in that.
The musical choice includes theLVSome traditional Christmas songs that give the film a cheerful atmosphere. Although it does not create new memorable items of clothing, it does create a light mood typical for the holiday films.
The filming recreates the picturesque setting of a suburban area enriched by cheerful decorations for the holidays. It is not revolutionary but it works with the tone of the film and enhances the comedy adding funny visual elements.
The recognisable suburban environment is convincingly turned into a war zone. While Perkins’ Christmas ornamentation is ostentatious, funny streak elaborates the frenzy the Kranks are up against; minimalistic special effects highlight the slapstick humor of Luther running into gory ornaments. They do not dominate the film but bring an element of fun to them, While the pace of the editing is rather fast, which corresponds to the twist of the scarf Christmas which the Kranks are trying to escape from. The numerous fast cuts boosting the flight add to the comedy where needed, but do not hinder sight in the jumbled nonsensical yet meticulously orchestrated plot turns.
While the brisk pacing of the film may beoff-putting at times and confusing at transition areas where comedy gives way to touching scenes. However, the message is timely to reflect the show’s working on finicky last-minute preparations for their holidays.
The dialog is bright and comical with jokes and puns with typical television suburban attitudes. Although rather predictable at times, it brings the humor and warmth of family to the movie and the holidays.
The movie ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ may not be the deepest holiday movie by far, but it is entertaining and brings a lot of freedom from the pressures of the holiday season. : It raises eyebrow though at times there is certain touch of the joke with the character being more stereotype than portrayal. However, its joy is rooted in its startling acknowledgment of the inherent chaos of the holiday period.
When watching ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ some could be said to be entering into an over-stimulating party paradigm of the festive season. This may not be a cinematic work of art, but it could make you laugh at the ridiculousness of the pressure the holidays and Christmas bring, and learn that it is very much about spending time with loved ones and enjoying simple happy moments.
