Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (2024) – Film Review

Director: Tyler Taormina
Cast: Michael Cera, Elsie Fisher, Maria Dizzia
Certificate:

By Roger Crow

Tyler Taormina could be the new Robert Altman of quirky, indie ensemble comedies. That’s if the 121st movie of the year with ‘Christmas’ in the title is anything to go by.

Clearly made on a budget (if the unconvincing opening car shots are anything to go by), the bulk of the movie takes place in an enormous home during the festive season.

Four generations of the Balsano family gather for what may be the last Christmas in their family home in small town Long Island. Boisterous aunts, uncles, cousins, and one indomitable grandmother drink themselves merry and talk to no end even as they strain to understand each other. As the group loses itself in rowdy celebration, youngsters Emily and Michelle sneak away to claim the suburban winter wonderland for teenage rebellion. That’s the plot for what feels like the sort of movie Martin Scorsese would have made 50 years ago. His influence shadows many frames, and given one of the cast members, little wonder. But the movie has a big heart despite some of the am dram performances.

“Nice touches”

The soundtrack is a batch of feelgood festive tunes, and the cast aren’t bad, including Michael Cera, Elsie Fisher and Maria Dizzia.

Oh and there’s also Francesca Scorsese (daughter Of Martin), Ben Shenkman, Gregg Turkington, Sawyer Spielberg (son of Steven) and newcomer Matilda Fleming. Some might say there’s far too many characters.

It’s quirky, and there’s some nice touches, including background action from a display attached to a robot vacuum cleaner, a scene with a big lizard and lots of general oddities that make you wonder what will happen next.

“Offbeat”

That opening inverted shot of a festive light-strewn car ride sums it up. The movie is just like all those other seasonal films that dominate the box this time of year, but flipped on its head a little.

It won’t be for all tastes, just like a Peter Kay sketch about getting enough chairs round the table for Christmas dinner would probably lose a lot to a Long Island audience.

But if you can acclimatise to the offbeat shenanigans it works its unusual charm eventually.