Christmas With the Kranks (2004)

Every Christmas there are a few movies my family always watches. Home Alone (one and two, three doesn’t exist to us), The Santa Clause (one and sometimes two), A Christmas Story, A Muppets Christmas Carol. The classics. But over time I’ve added a few more to my list, some for the family, some are just for me. One that’s been on there for a year or two now is Christmas with the Kranks. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis…how can that possibly not work?

Luther and Nora Krank go all out for Christmas every year. But this year, their daughter Blair will be in Peru, and that’s rather taken the wind out of their Christmas sails. Luther especially has turned into the Grinch, and proposes a radical idea. “Let’s skip Christmas, take the money, and take a cruise with it instead.” No presents, no tree, no legendary Christmas Eve party, not even the traditional Frosty on the roof, that everyone in their neighborhood does. They are simply skipping Christmas. The only problem is, no one will let them.

As sad as the plot may sound, it is also one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. From Luther’s war with a gang of neighborhood children lobbying to “Free Frosty” from the basement, to Nora’s embarrassing run-in with their priest while she’s in a bikini at the tanning salon, every moment is hilarious. They are assaulted by carolers, molested by boy scouts, hunted down by the neighborhood “ward boss” ( classic Dan Aykroyd) and all the time they stick to their guns. But when the hilariously unexpected happens Luther’s cruise dreams are turned on their head.

There’s not too much more I can say without giving away some of the best moments and plot lines. Suffice it to say, it is a positive uplifting film about the meaning of Christmas and why Christmas matters, and how people can come together. The fact that it makes me laugh so hard I cry is a nice bonus. Looking for a new Christmas film to add to your list? This is a must.

Is this already one you’re familiar with? Gonna give it a try?