While many Christmas movies focus on the joys of the holidays, Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) decide to skip the festivities, much to the horror of their friends and neighbours.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen in Christmas with the Kranks / Picture Credit: Columbia Pictures
Christmas with the Kranks (2004) follows the titular family, who have just seen their daughter, Blair (Julie Gonzalo), off as she heads to the Peace Corps. While Nora struggles with the idea of Christmas without her daughter, Luther has an idea.
Luther suggests that he and Nora ‘skip Christmas’, and go on a 10-day cruise instead. While Nora takes a little convincing, the Kranks decide not to celebrate the festive season and head to a more tropical destination; however, their neighbours have other ideas.
After telling everyone that they won’t be taking part in the festivities of the holiday season, their lives become somewhat difficult. Children stand outside their house and demand Frosty, the Kranks’ giant snowman who usually sits on the roof, whilst friends and family openly judge the couple for their choices, and treat them rather oddly because of it.
Christmas with the Kranks is a different kind of festive film, as the Kranks try to avoid what some call the best time of the year. Nora spends much of her time since the announcement in her house avoiding the residents of her street, who get unnaturally angry at their not-so-festive attitude.
However, while Luther and Nora do all they can to fend off their obsessive neighbours, Blair calls with the news that she will be home for Christmas after all. Nora’s excitement is hilarious, as she screams the house down, while Luther seems somewhat disappointed about missing his cruise.
Now, the Kranks have very little time to decorate their entire house for the festive season before Blair comes home and finds out they planned to leave. This is where the comedy truly comes from, as Nora forces Luther to get into the festive spirit and get the house ready for their annual Christmas Eve party.
The chaos that follows is genuinely hilarious, as it may remind many of how stressful the festive season can be, especially if, like the Kranks, you put out your decorations and shop for a Christmas party on December 24th.
This film is perfect for a good laugh, as the Kranks, especially Nora, rush to get their house in order. Luther just seems to be along for the ride, and it’s almost like watching The Grinch and Buddy the Elf decorate a house they share.
Nora is beyond excited to see Blair, and while Luther misses his daughter too, he seems less than impressed that he isn’t going on his $3,000 vacation, which he wanted to go on to save money...
Christmas with the Kranks is a somewhat different festive film, as while it does focus on the holiday season, it centres on the stresses of Christmas; however, it has family at its heart as Blair is the pride and joy of her loving parents.
It’s a great film to put on your Christmas watchlist, as the disarray and stress the Kranks experience is simply hysterical, as you watch Nora sprint down a supermarket aisle to fight another shopper for a Honey Roast Ham, Blair’s favourite.
Christmas with the Kranks has a wonderful family feel, a hugely comedic narrative, and a cast that really bring the joy into Christmas, despite their plans to skip it. It’s a a fantastic festive watch.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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Tagged in Christmas Jamie Lee Curtis Tim Allen