Iffy for 13+
Familiar but funny holiday story with a Latino flavor.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that, like most contemporary holiday movies, this film features a large, loud, "dysfunctional" family dealing with lots of issues. One son has just come back from Iraq and could have post-traumatic stress, another has a Jewish wife who doesn't get along with his mother, and the parents are on the verge of divorce, to name just a few of the family's problems. While young kids may not be interested, 'tis the season for family movies, so be aware that there's drinking, sexual innuendo, and several passionate kisses, as well as some use of anguage like "s--t" and "a--hole." There's also a subplot involving a reformed gang member's beef with the guy who killed his brother, as well as a few other Latino stereotypes. But overall, it's a mostly positive portrayal of a Hispanic family's Christmas traditions.
- Families can talk about holiday traditions. How does the Rodriguez family's Christmas celebration differ from those portrayed in other holiday movies?
- How is it different than your own holiday customs?
- What Latino stereotypes does the film explore? Do you think it reinforces or dispels them? What scenes in the movie are similar to those in other Christmas films
- ? Do audiences expect certain things from holiday movies? If so, what -- and why?
The good stuff
-
Messages: Portrays a Puerto Rican family's Christmas Eve celebration and traditions. The children deal with being Latino, marrying non-Latinos, and returning to their old neighborhood. The differences between Latino culture and "white" culture are explored. There are strong female characters but also several Latino stereotypes, including a former gang member. Overall, the movie has positive messages about Latino families.
What to watch for
-
Violence: A character punches another character; a guy holds a gun up to someone but doesn't shoot; a man almost dies in a car accident.
-
Sex: Several characters passionately kiss and talk about sex and adultery. For example, the Rodriguez siblings talk about where they lost their virginity. A married couple is shown in bed the morning after making love (the man is shirtless). A woman looks at her birth control and tries to determine whether she's fertile or not. Several jokes and innuendo about "getting any" and men's "big tools," etc.
-
Language: Language used fairly regularly includes "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," "goddamn," and more.
-
Consumerism: Brands featured or mentioned include Cadillac, BlackBerry, Gateway computers, and Kia.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: The Rodriguez clan drinks at dinner/parties and goes to a local bar, where a couple of characters get drunk. The men of the family smoke cigars together, and the sister smokes cigarettes. The siblings reminisce about smoking "blunts" in their attic when they were teenagers.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Excellent holiday movie! It's a must see! by lopezca5
The holidays typically represent family, relationships and a special something in the air that only the holidays can offer! This movie was spectacular! It had a little bit of hapiness, laughter, concern, anguish, and humilty. I loved it so much, I am going back to see it again today!
5
Nothing Like It by jmccloy77
This was a good movie. I enjoyed it from begining to end. The cast was great. They all seemed to have great chemistry between them. The story line was great. Got to see each familys side. It had a lot of humor. No sex. It had some bad language. But overall, this was a great family holiday movie. I would definately recommend anyone to see this. Its a good christmas movie.
4
Nothing Like the Holidays by relaxtion
I liked it. My daughters were with me they did not like very much. One of my daughters said it remined her of a movie she had seen last year around this time of year. Of course I had already thought it through. I like movie like this one, good movie.
4
Nothing Like the Holidays by rodrigud3
Not your typical Christmas movie. Serious topics are handled within this Puerto Rican Family while still keeping the comedy to keep it light. More realistic than most Christmas Movies.
3
OK /:( by Bunnylu
I wanted to love this movie so much! I really tried... it was just so depressing. I was hoping that they would capture a true Puerto Rican Christmas but this movie had too much drama. Not positive drama, more like negative. Like another viewer indicated it was not the typical Christmas movie. Also there were too many stories within the story. It felt that once you had a grab on one issue they jumped to the next not allowing the viewer to feel the moment. At one point I was near tears then was annoyed by the interruption of a changed scene. I am a huge fan of every one of these actors and I was saddened that this movie, which had so much potential, fell flat in the delivery.
4
Nothing Like The Holidays by bcogley
LIght comedy with an actual message. What I liked about this flik is you had to pay attention or the subtle and sometimes poignant moments would be missed. Great showcase of what struggles families go through. Spouse enjoyed it also.
1
Movie Stinks by ledzep86
I went to see this movie thinking it was going to be pretty funny, but it was really not funny at all, I didn't laugh once. The only scenes that are remotley humorous are shown in the trailer. If you are looking for a good laugh don't count on this movie. In fact just about any movie would be better than this. Its $8 and an hour and a half of your life that you will never get back again.
4
Nothing Like the Holidays by Phyllis Williams-Holland
Very enjoyable Chritsmas Movie.
5
Home for the Holidays by chinawen
One of the best movies all year. Leguizamo leads the pack in this one with Alfred Molina providing the heart and soul of the point of Christmastime and families. Don't miss it.
4
Nothing Like This Movie for the Holidays..... by actors1stbestfriend
My sis and I went to see this in the midst of our holiday shoping. We both loved it. It was a warm family story and the Chicago area setting was very close to our hearts since this is where we live. It has a wonderful balance of humor and serious drama and the importance of family no matter what is disagreed upon, shined through.