It’s always difficult to adjust back to single life after a painful relationship break-up. Some people try to keep doing the kind of things they did before. Some people try to change everything about their daily and weekly schedules. And some people throw themselves into their work. Graham Stroop (Robbie Amell) ends up in the latter group, although he was always a bit of a workaholic anyway. But his work is due to stop him from visiting his family for Christmas this year. Until it doesn’t. Graham decides to surprise his family, but the surprise is on him when he finds out that they’re all spending Christmas in the company of his ex (Ali, played by Leighton Meester).
That is all you need to know about EXMas, a fun Christmas rom-com that feels more spiky and slightly bawdy in comparison to the usual festive fare we get at this time of year. While it still stays within certain parameters, and some of the plotting seems to make no sense (although that isn’t unusual for this kind of thing), it’s a very enjoyable way to pass some time this month.
Both Amell and Meester are very good in their main roles, and they have the most fun when striving to compete against one another for the affection of the surrounding family members. There are also plenty of enjoyable supporting players, including Kathryn Greenwood and Michael Hitchcock as the mother and father, Veronika Slowikowska as the sister, and Donna Benedicto and Thomas Cadrot as potential love interests/complications.
Although I am unfamiliar with director Jonah Feingold and writer Dan Steele, both acquit themselves admirably here. Unlike numerous other Christmas movies at this level, there are actually a couple of set-pieces here that stand out (the best involving a large crowd and a goat), and a couple of running gags that become more enjoyable as they keep recurring. This is enough to help compensate for the muddled character development, even if things momentarily come to a screeching halt in the third act with a major incident that almost unbalances everything. Overall, fun is the main aim here and fun is delivered.
While it doesn’t do enough to break out of the tinsel-adorned confines of the Christmas movie box, EXMas stands above many others jostling alongside it. You can enjoy the festivities, as per usual, but you can also enjoy some proper laughs. I would happily rewatch this, and it’s highly recommended to those who don’t mind their seasonal treats having a teaspoon of spice to offset all that sugary sweetness.
7/10
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That sounds like it could be fun and it's streaming for free so at least you don't have to spend any money.
ReplyDeleteFree is always good :)
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