“Deck the Halls” (20th Century Fox)
Bah, Humbug!!!
“Deck the Halls” is a movie so lifeless and uninteresting that it almost gives Christmas a bad name. It features a story about two men, played by Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick, who are so bland and unlikable that audiences could care less about their series of adventures and misadventures. If ever there was a movie that is the antithesis of a Christmas classic this is it!
Broderick plays Steve Finch, an opthamologist in a small New England town. He, his wife and children live in a quiet neighborhood. Quiet that is until Buddy Hall (DeVito) and his family move in across the street. Buddy wants to be the king of Christmas and decorate his home so brightly that it can be seen in outer space. Finch wants to do everything he can to stop him.
The two men feud and fight and make everyone’s lives miserable. Especially those of their wives. Kristin Davis plays Kelly Finch while Kristin Chenoweth plays Tia Hall. The two Kristins are both wasted in the film. This is particularly sad in the case of Chenoweth as she is a talented comic and a beautiful woman. The writers of the film can’t seem to get a bead on her character as she is a sex bomb in one scene and later renders a beautiful version of “O Holy Night.” It just doesn’t mesh.
Broderick is a little too prissy and fastidious in his role. He never shows the warmth that is needed to round out his character. DeVito is also lacking as Buddy. Buddy seems to have a lot in common with Louie from “Taxi” but not enough. Still DeVito is more enjoyable than Broderick.
The film is rated PG for some crude humor.
There is a lot of potential in “Deck the Halls” but it is all wasted. The movie comes across as slapped together with everyone just phoning in their performances. There is no sincerity in the characters, no warmth in the storyline, and absolutely no holiday cheer.
“Deck the Halls” is a mess from beginning to end. Maybe small, non-discriminating children will enjoy it – but that is doubtful. I would think everyone who wanders in will wander out feeling ripped off. One good thing though. This movie makes “Santa Claus 3” look like a masterpiece.
I scored “Deck the Halls” an unadorned 3 out of 10.
