‘Love the Coopers’ and their imperfect Christmas

BY

Ron and Leigh Martel
Movie Reviewers, The Friday Flyer

‘Tis the season for Hallmark Christmas movies as well as big screen family trials, tribulations and reunions, such as “The Family Stone” (2005). You know, an all-star ensemble cast that puts the holiday fun in family dysfunction. All families have problems, but there isn’t any issue that can’t be resolved by the spirit of Christmas.

“Love the Coopers” is a Christmas card salutation missing a comma. As written, it’s a directive to love a family so insufferable they not only don’t love each other, they don’t even like each other or themselves. Sure, it has its moments and it is the most wonderful time of the year. So, if we are patient and look for the good in everyone, there are some glimmers of hope, redemption and holiday cheer in the eventual outcome.

Apparently, there are four generations of the Cooper clan that plan to reunite for their annual Christmas Eve celebration. Along the way, we are treated to a series of unlikely events and unexpected visitors that turn the night upside down. Wallowing in their misery, they each rediscover the power of family bonds and the reason for the season.

To get there, we are forced to wade through too many contrived circumstances; shameless product placements, annoying musical score, and ad hoc vulgarity casually presented as good family fun. There are so many flashbacks for “Christmas past” that the narrator (Steve Martin) is more disruptive than enhancing of the storyline.

This Christmas dramedy has the right elements. With Diane Keaton as the family matriarch and John Goodman as the patriarch, what could go wrong? As it turns out, the two are constantly bickering about a trip to Africa that never happened. Over Christmas dinner, they plan to announce that they will end their marriage of 40 years.

From there, we are introduced to a series of vignettes between various family members working their way home for the holiday. The relationship between Grandpa Bucky (Alan Arkin) and the cute waitress at the diner (Amanda Seyfried) is mostly sweet, but borders on creepy. Yet, there are some good zingers. At one point, she asks, “In other words, you’re calling me a coward?” He responds, “Not in other words, those are the words.”

While Bucky’s introverted grandson works up enough nerve to kiss the girl of his dreams, his father Hank (Ed Helms), seeks employment to avoid being labeled a loser. Hank’s Aunt Emma (Marisa Tomei) is caught shoplifting an intended gift and spends the evening discussing life with her arresting officer (Anthony Mackie).

Olivia Wilde, as Hank’s sister Eleanor, asks Joe, a kindhearted soldier (Jake Lacy), to come home with her, posing as her boyfriend. Almost as if in the wrong movie, their exchange is witty, moving and heart-wrenching, as they deliver a most honest and interesting relationship.

Eleanor is so conflicted that screenwriter Steven Rogers (“P.S. I Love You”) doesn’t know when to let up until she’s on the verge of being unbearable.

It’s sometimes difficult to track the many characters. Not necessarily because there are too many, but director Jessie Nelson (“I am Sam”) muddles the transitions, flashbacks, narrations and relationships. Some of the jokes were so forced, even veteran funnyman John Goodman had difficulty feigning laughter in the midst of his faux fun.

“Love the Coopers” is 107 minutes and rated PG13 for thematic elements, language and sexuality. Set in and filmed in wintry Pittsburgh, this is the first holiday film of the year. Watching miserable people doesn’t always make for great holiday entertainment. However, spoiler alert: it does all come together and they live happily ever after.

This dinner had lots of empty calories, but like any holiday meal, you still get your fill. The movie has many flaws, but the theme is to rediscover the past, present and future of a perfectly imperfect family. Similar to your job, you take the good with the bad. Even on Christmas, you do all the work and some fat guy in a suit gets all the credit. Ho, ho, ho!

Ron’s Rating: C   Leigh’s Rating: B