A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)

Review: This is one of those "Made For TV" movies which you will see around Christmas time. I didn't really find it that funny or slightly interesting but the moral behind the story is good for kids who still believe in Father Christmas. The storyline, which is about a father whose been brought up by a drunken dad, played by Robin Williams, who taught him not to believe in Father Christmas, is pretty weak and the characters weren't that great. When the main character forgets to bring his child's Christmas presents to his parents house, it turns into a road movie because he decides to travel back to his house with his dad and his brother. From there, I thought that the movie might get interesting but the main character keeps on moaning about his bad upbringing and his rocky relationship with his father. I was also hoping that Robin Williams would save the day with his witty humour and crazy one liners but I could see that he wasn't being his normal self. Personally, I got bored after a while and I think the director lost his chance to get the best out of a comedic genius. Disappointing!Round-Up: Every now and again I see actors/actresses play a role which, you can tell, there not enjoying playing. This is the case with Robin Williams in this film who seemed distant and zoned out throughout the film. There was plenty of opportunities for the director to bring out the best of Williams but he seemed to concentrate on the weak main character who got on my nerves after a while. He has been in movies like Ted and Spiderman 2 but I personally can't remember him. As this is one of Robin Williams last films, I'm sure that people will watch this movie because of that point, but he won't be remembered for it. On the plus side, it is short which means that it doesn't drag or become unwatchable.I recommend this movie to people who are into their Happy Christmas movies about a man trying to make Christmas special for his son after being brought up by his father, not to believe in the family tradition. 2/10

Having watched this film and prefer not to watch it again ... I can truthfully say that this project had much to do with Robin's suicide ... a film that he never would have made if he didn't need the money so badly. His character, in this movie, is the extremely opposite of who Robin was ... and I can't imagine any fan that would actually watch this film more than once. I am contemplating throwing it out ... just like I did with Pee Wee Herman's Christmas Video. To be fair ... Pee Wee Herman always gave me the creeps ... making him the total opposite of Robin Williams. Actually, the special features are a million times better than the movie.Candice Bergan ... I had a slight problem accepting this person as being Candice Bergen! Poor casting! There is no way Candice could be like the person she played in the movie. Candice is an out there person that speaks her mind.I guess I'll keep the DVD ... for the extras!

Spoiler Alert - this is a bad movie and a waste of time to watch. There - I said it,One of Robin William's last movies but you don't want to remember him for this brick. With great talent like Lauren Graham (always lovable), Candice Bergen, and the late great Robin Williams, this movie had so much potential. Great Christmas movies can become classics and no matter what else an actor did, they can be remembered for one memorable holiday movie. Unfortunately, this isn't the case here. It tries to be a "Christmas Vacation" type movie. Dysfunctional family - check. Talented actors - check. Some funny lines - check. A family reunion that fails - check. Good writing - ...... NO check.I really wanted this movie to work and was so excited when I saw it at Red Box. By why had I never heard of it? Turns out it was released this year (2014) and probably went straight to DVD rental - and there is a reason. If you want to remember Robin Williams for his last good movie- go watch "Night at the Museum 3." But please don't remember him for this.

Boyd Mitchler and his family must spend Christmas with his estranged family, and especially his father, who ruined the miracle of Christmas for him when he was a child.Upon realising that he left all his son's gifts at home, he hits the road with his father in an attempt to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise, so he doesn't ruin the miracle for his son, thus turning him into his Father....Christmas films used to be magical, and about sweet saccharine topics, kids defeating wet bandits, Bill Murray kissing Bobcat Goldthwaite, and Chevy Chase speeding down a hill. But it appears that in the advent of Bad Santa, movie studios feel that they need to put a dark edge on all things Christmas, and here is no exception.It's not saying that its a bad movie, it's pretty enjoyable for the most part, and the message of keeping the Christmas dream alive for the kids is there, it's just that parts of the nuclear family aspect are handled sluggishly, and parts that should make you laugh, make you cringe.Such as the Middle Eastern family staying at the Mitchler residence, and the husband who has been charged for being 'rude' just don't cut this type of film, especially when they try and milk the jokes for all they are worth.So we get the husband playing Scrabble using innuendo, and the family being spoken to in their native tongue abhorrently. Oh how we laugh!!Saying that though, the scenes with Willams and his two sons are truly brilliant, and make the whole film worth watching.After all, this is one of the last films he made.Not a great film, but it does have its moments.