Love the Coopers (2015)

Solid Christmas comedy.

I had the impression that this film really wanted to be an ensemble film. A lot of famous names on the poster, each with their own storyline, and an ending where everything more or less comes together. But somehow, it doesn't quite manage to become that.

Perhaps because it is too clearly about one family, or perhaps because the storylines lean very closely together, but this has primarily turned into a fairly simple and pure Christmas comedy. Naturally, with some drama halfway through, but also with a happy ending and plenty of Christmas atmosphere. As it should be with this type of movie.

And even though it isn't exactly my favorite genre, the film doesn't do too badly either. Partly due to a decent cast, which makes it all just a little more palatable. Not a great film, but for a change, and certainly during this period, not a bad choice. As long as you know what you're being served.

2.5*

Translated from Dutch · View original

"It's not that I don't like you. It's just that I love you more when I'm not with you."

There are some pretty funny (the dog that eats out of emotion ) but also some beautiful parts in this film. One of the nicer ones I found was the interaction between waitress Ruby and her old customer Bucky, and in particular the brief moment when Ruby could see the inner Bucky, or how he felt. That really warmed my heart. Certainly with some years and experience under its belt, this could still feel like a decent film, I imagine. Although this will undoubtedly depend on the individual. Of course, it is a bit too saccharine; it is a Christmas movie, after all.

The film deals with themes such as nostalgia, life path, acceptance and being accepted, unfinished and changed dreams and plans of yesteryear, closing doors and opening new ones, and numerous family frictions. Family as an imperfect puzzle of which some pieces went missing over the years and the dog sank its teeth into a few others. And yet, a large part of it still remains to be put together. "While everyone sat at the table, past, present, and future came together in one elusive night. What a fuss over something that had always been there, right before our noses." Actually, I don't think it's a bad Christmas movie at all; it's worth a 2.75, which I happily round up. Even though it is early in the year to be in that spirit.

Translated from Dutch · View original