“Christmas With the Kranks” (Revolution Studios)
The new Jamie Lee Curtis/Tim Allen comedy “Christmas With the Kranks” is based on John Grisham’s best selling novel SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. It is a fun filled story about one couple who decides to skip the Christmas festivities and go on a Caribbean cruise. This outrages their neighbors who are all gung-ho with the Christmas spirit.
Tim Allen is perfectly cast as the “Christmas” saturated Luther Krank. He can do physical comedy as well as the joke telling, and he is also believably romantic in his scenes with Curtis. Allen and Christmas themed movies seem made for each other, as his previous biggest hits were the two “Santa Clause” films.
Curtis has turned into a brilliant comedienne. Her performance as Nora Krank is one of her best. She is totally into her role as the devoted wife and loving mother, and gives her sexy, sultry image a poke or two. Nora and the wife in “True Lies” come from different planets.
Dan Aykroyd joins in the fun as Vic Fromeyer, a neighbor who is determined not to let there be a weak link in the neighborhood “Christmas” chain. If Luther Krank is sitting out Christmas he had better be prepared for a fight.
Joe Roth directs this movie in such a way that the jokes tumble on top of each other and the heart of the film stays intact. He is not afraid to let it get a little schmaltzy and seems to take every tug of the heartstrings found in Christopher Columbus’ screenplay and wrings them for every possible teardrop.
The movie is rated PG for mild profanity and comic violence.
“Christmas With the Kranks” may be too gaudy, schmaltzy and over the top for some, but for others it will be the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. There is a lot of humor and heart in “Christmas With the Kranks” and it will send audiences out with the warmth of the season running through their veins.
I scored “Christmas With the Kranks” a frosty 5 out of 10.
