I think this is a film that explores realistic family dynamics. However, I have my reasons why I don't rate it any higher.
First off, the gay couple plot is over the top. Like, I am not homosexual, or homoromantic, and I think it's a good thing that they include a gay couple in the plot. The problem is, they made it very uncomfortable. For starters, Paul is forced into a threesome by his partner. I think it's quite sad that he was unable to address his concerns. The extra partner is a rich dude, and, yay, I have to hear some abuse from him towards Paul. Like, yikes, the writers do any favours for the gay image. The gays are basically portrayed as out of control, and (occasionally) dangerous. To me, that's not cool. However, I think the film felt a lot more comfortable when Paul was dumped. He was basically being set free from a toxic relationship. Really, take it from someone who got out of a toxic relationship (and I am straight). To me, the moment that they got Paul to "play the part of a human table", that showed me that they only saw Paul as a living sex object, and nothing else. So, yeah. Whenever I saw that there was going to be a gay guy scene, I was prayed for it to be quick. Like, this is a film about people that are HATED at weddings. Hmmmm. Yeah. Let it sink in. A last note on the gay plot, I think it's a shame that they took a sensitive topic like gay men, and flat out poured on the stereotypes. Again, it doesn't give them the best impression. That's my two cents on THAT front.
Secondly, I am baffled by the sheer amount of alcohol consumption. Like, you KNOW someone will screw up during a scene where the whole family is together, because they don't know how to limit their alcohol intake. In one scene, we can see that one character is pouring so much wine, it overflows out of the glass. I don't understand why people have to pour alcohol into their bodies, and, yes, I am the polar opposite of an alcoholic that drinks 24/7/365. Like, if you want a designated driver, I am DEFINITELY trustworthy. Just ask anyone who knows me. They will ALL confirm that I don't drink alcohol, ever. In any case, I think I could have gone without the constant drunkenness and vomiting. Someone drinks a lot of booze. Oh, look! They are destined to vomit. Oh, yeah! They puke. Ugh.
Thirdly, I really don't get how cheating on your significant other is such a common thing. Like, don't get me wrong. I think it's good that film makers show what happens when someone is not loyal to their partner. But, I don't think it's a good thing that there's a CEO/boss who is cheating on his wife, and he basically gets not much more than a slap on the wrist. Like, they say "He got divorced", and basically JUST that. Someone who is rich, and he cheats on his wife, and all he gets as comeuppance is a divorce. So, we don't hear if his ex wife is suing him for emotional damages. Nothing. Again, just divorce. ...... Uh. Hm. Yeah. I think that is TOO easy for real life. A self respecting person would have dealt with the situation through the proper channels (civil court, divorce lawyers, etc). Call me dumb for saying this, but, I REALLY don't think it's a good idea to steal your cheating spouse's phone, and basically stalk the person that they are cheating on you with, just so you can punch out the other person. Like, what is odd about that is, the CEO's mistress is the one who gets punched... and gets arrested. I'm sorry, but, what? How do you get arrested for GETTING ASSAULTED? It's about as logical as getting robbed, and the cops arrest you. Yeah. Uh. Odd. All in all, this is one of my biggest concerns about my next relationship. Like, will I be in the dark about my next girlfriend already being in a relationship, and just using me for certain things? Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I stand by what I said. I think it's a good thing that we see cheating in relationships in films. However, it DOES have an ugly side to the exposure to this topic. The ugly thing is, it makes me feel like I have to really watch myself in the event that I end up in that sort of relationship (being the "side dish"). Yeah. I really don't want to EVER experience that. The same can be said for starting to drink alcohol, and smoke,, and all of those other things.
Fourth concern is, why put pot in gummies? I heard about putting ALCOHOL in those sweet, innocent gummy bears. But, pot? It's bad enough that that stuff has been legalized in my country, and that they are starting up so MANY dang pot shops. But, now, that pot crud is in movies, being put in gummy bears. Little kids LOVE candies, and gummies. Now, I am not a parent. But, I will be an uncle in a few months. And, if I have to worry about pot gummies making their way to little kids, imagine how much this sort of thing will be a concern for any decent parents? Yeah. Uh...... I just hope that the aforementioned vices don't get started with the nephew or niece who is on the way. Seriously, marijuana or cannabis, or whatever you want to call that crud, needless to say, it's not a topic that that I take lightly.
Now, the last thing I want to say is, in the beginning of the film, the mom acts like a Karen at the Santa photo shoot. You get your pictures you pay for, you move along, and so on. Yet, the mom basically acted like a total Karen, in the sense that she was basically saying "I am paying for this experience, I will do this for as long as it takes. Let everyone else wait." Like, how did she know that nobody was on a time crunch? When she was saying "Let's do our Easter pictures," I thought that she was on something. Like, if you want to have that sort of experience, that's fine, as long as you are hiring a photographer for a private event. That way, you aren't causing an inconvenience for anyone. However, at the end of the film, the "Karen mom" actually DOES exactly what I suggested (the private photo shoot). That's how she makes amends for the Santa photo shoot scene. I just wish that the rest of the problems that I mentioned would have been accounted for, but, I realize that it's not always a possibility, and I am at peace with that. It's just a shame that they couldn't have toned down some of the negatives. But, that's probably the whole point of the movie. But, again, it doesn't mean that the negatives are justified.
I recommend this film for anyone who wants to open up someone's eyes to seriously concerning things (toxicity in relationships, infidelity in relationships, substance abuse, etc), as long as the experience is educational. Other than that, I don't think this film has much to offer in the entertainment department.
0 out of 4 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Tell Your Friends