Christmas Do-Over (2006)

I just saw this movie last night (rented from my local library), and I was not amused. Let me list how many things are wrong with this movie. Jay Mohr as a divorced man visiting his son for Christmas...actually, that's okay. What is not okay is, he doesn't care enough about his son to get him a decent Christmas present (He says at the store, "I'll have whatever he's getting" without even knowing what it was the other man was buying...how uncaring is that?). He rejects his son's invitation to go camping, not because he has work or something, but because he doesn't feel like spending time with him. He's rude to his ex-wife's parents (who didn't have to invite him, but did so that he could see his son for the holiday), he's rude to his ex-wife and her boyfriend, and when he gets the chance to 'right his wrongs', he actually does worse. He attacks a Santa Claus, attacks a Nativity Scene couple, pigs out on holiday pies, steals his wife's boyfriend's Christmas present to his son, and other things I will not mention here because it's all too insulting. If you can believe it, this schmuck actually gets his way at the end of the movie; he sends his ex-wife's very caring boyfriend packing and wins her back, after all the devious things he did! I realize this was a family film (ha!), but this man didn't do anything to deserve a happy ending. I give this three stars because it wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen (in fact, it's not even the worst Christmas movie I've ever seen), and because I feel generous as I write this. But I do NOT recommend this movie because it achieves nothing in the learning department about the Christmas spirit.

I was not about to say "Groundhog Day for Christmas," as one poster has noted that the "do-over" concept has been done before. I recall a short dramatic piece called 12:01 PM that was later turned into a film that was quite good. However, when you take a concept from another comedy film and almost plagiarize the thing, we need to talk.This brings us to the abysmal "Christmas Do-Over." I don't normally review TV movies, but the whole thing was appalling. Jay Mohr plays a divorced father spending Christmas with his former in laws. Jay Mohr has a cynical view towards Christmas, contempt for his ex-wife's new boyfriend, and is not the most successful father. He starts to repeat Christmas over and over and comedy supposedly ensues.This is where the film gets very uncreative, delivering events that are like Groundhog Day hand me downs. Like Groundhog Day, Mohr starts by making a sham of the holiday, tries to kill himself, starts to do things right, then has a day where he helps people, impresses, and puts on a break dance show at a fair following repeated days of practice. It's kinda like playing the piano, if you get my drift. Characters even spout out lines that sound like they were lifted from Groundhog Day. Trust me, it's bad.Then there's the casting. This is an impressive set here. Given, the actors aren't A-list, but are talented. All do a fine job. Jay Mohr seems as though he was either horribly miscast or badly directed. Given this script, he may have just not cared. The problem is that he is not able to ever be likable, even when he's doing things right. Groundhog Day was successful because even though Bill Murray's character was slime at the beginning, we still had a desire to follow him and watch him grow. The writing on that film had a lot of heart. This film does not. Jay Mohr never achieves a believable likability to make the premise of the film connect with its viewers.The only good point I'll say about this film is that there are occasional bits of humor that are good. Most notably, a comment made by Jay Mohr's team of dancers as they win a competition against some people acting out the Nativity. There's a great one liner. But a one liner does not make a good movie. Originality does. Not recommended.

A late breakfast put me in front of the TV for the second showing of Christmas Do-over. I had not intended on watching ABC family channel or anything else, but I did and I laughed all the way through this movie. It has great writing along with the slapstick. I actually thought this had been a movie in the theatres that I had never heard of. The show really takes different twists throughout and left me wondering how it would end. It certainly had an honest approach of trial and error in solving a moral dilemma for our hero. I suppose I am not as sophisticated as others since I do not run to see every movie that comes out, but I do know "funny" when I see it. Except for the alcohol and innuendo (that could have been left out and it still be a great movie) I thought this movie was the best I have seen in many, many, years. It will definitely help Jay's career.

Excellent movie ! Great casting ! 'Christmas Do-Over' is a real pleasure to watch. With a solid cast as Jay Mohr (Jerry Maguire), Daphne Zuniga (Spaceballs, American Dreams, Beautiful People), Adrienne Barbeau (Carnivale), bravo to ABC Family for release this charming movie. Jay Mohr and Daphne Zuniga did a really great job, two excellent actors!!Directed by Catherine CyranSynopsis: Feeling obligated to spend Christmas visiting his ex-wife Jill, young son Ben, and former in- laws, a shallow jingle writer finds himself living Christmas day over and over again. Before he can get on with his life, he'll have to determine what in his life needs changing – and who he needs to reconcile with to make this Christmas the best he's ever had.Cast: Jay Mohr Daphne Zuniga David Millbern Logan Grove Ruta LeeWith also Tim Thomerson and Zach Cumer.***** / 5