Almost Christmas (2016), PG-13, ★★★

Ah...yes...a family reunion for the holidays.

Well...yet another Christmas film. But, this time it borders on the cliches of family comedies that sometime strain myself to emotional manipulation that bothers me. The Family Stone is a prime example because it tries to become a cheerful family comedy but panders on so much drama surrounding the characters regarding cancer, homosexuality and family problems that it has to come together in a neatly-tied happy ending. And, then, you have Love the Coopers, which is tiring and overlaps so many stories and jokes that it becomes cringe-inducing and then come together in a neatly-tied happy ending. Yuck! However, this movie approaches that family storyline a different way  because we know that they were going to have a big family reunion during the holidays but this movie felt more realistic and surreal than the other holiday family comedies that it becomes more effective. I was surprised by its result. 

Walter Meyers (Danny Glover) has the house all to himself since the death of his wife, Grace, and all of his adult children have moved on. 10 months later and 5 days before Christmas, Walter gets prepared to have the family all over for Christmas dinner. He does the traditional volunteer work at the homeless shelter just like Grace did and attempts to make his wife's famous sweet potato pie with mixed results. He is visited by Grace's sister, May (Mo'Nique), who helps him get the family together.

The Meyers children are: Cheryl (Kimberly Elise), who is the oldest daughter married to a basketball player, Lonnie (JB Smoove), oldest son, Christian (Romany Malco), who is running for congressman and married to Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker), Rachel (Gabrielle Union), who is a single mother trying to finish up her law degree and Evan (Jessie Usher) who is a star college football player, but mostly affected by his mother's death. A lot of things happen igniting arguments between siblings and having Walter or May to stop their bickering or arguing. 

I will be honest, that this is a poignant film as all of the family members have different stories or backstories that could either generate drama or comedy or situations that will be brought up later in the film. Almost all of that works but there were, at times, that there are forced foreshadowed moments in which does not seem to work, for example, there is a situation regarding a supermarket affair that will later bring conflict onto the table and maybe produce some humor. That sub-plot was not necessary. However, there are tonal transitions from the wacky humor to the genuinely moving moments that progresses the movie and paints a portrait of the family's personalities quite well.

The whole cast ensemble is terrific with standouts from Mo'Nique, Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union and John Michael Higgins. I felt like that there were people that audiences could relate to in terms of a family ensemble Christmas film. People do shine throughout the film, so, the cast is basically the main component as to why this movie works because they do not go as over-the-top or as forced. There is a nice ending that is earned based on the movie's trajectory and the predictable message but after the movie was over, I liked spending two hours with this family. A nice holiday treat. 

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