Release Date: 22 Nov 2006
Run Time: 93 minutes
Origin: USA
Mimi's Rating: 1 burning Christmas tree out of 5
An unfunny holiday story coated in a layer of sickly sweet schmaltz.
Deck the Halls is the story of a Christmas-obsessed man named Steven Finch. Steve is determined that his family will have a classic Christmas holiday. But, when car salesman Buddy Hall moves in across the street, he begins to challenge Steve's title of "Christmas guy." Buddy has discovered that their new home is visible on the satellite website "MyEarth" and is determined to have a Christmas light display that can be seen from space. Unfunny slapstick humour ensues. Will Steven and Buddy discover the true meaning of Christmas? Find out in: Deck the Halls!
This movie features the worst of terrible mid-2000s comedy. At times, it has jokes that would be more fitting in a 'boob-comedy' of the time. Weird "who's your daddy" incest jokes and horndog little kids that don't fit in this family movie. The only comedic sequence I found amusing was when Buddy and Steven were naked in a sleeping bag, attempting to warm up a frozen Steven. Besides that, it's just lots of terrible slapstick and clunker jokes.
Our main character, played by Matthew Broderick, is completely unlikeable throughout. Making it hard to connect with the character or the story. An example of a movie that balances a character that is a buffoon but still relatable would be Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold is a character with a relatable desire to give his family the perfect Christmas, and the performance helps to make the character likeable and funny. He balances comedy and heartfelt moments perfectly. Broderick's Steven is unpleasant from the beginning. I found myself not caring a bit about his wants or desires. He's just a neurotic weirdo throughout.
Devito's portrayal of the neighbour, Buddy Hall, is a more enjoyable performance, but that may be influenced by my enjoyment of Devito as an actor. His natural charisma certainly helped me get through this movie. Another decent addition was Kristin Chenoweth as Buddy's wife. Her bubbly presence was very welcome in this stinker.
So, after 80 minutes of wacky nonsense, the movie wants to get all sentimental on us. This sentimentality is not earned and feels tacked on. I mean, that's how a holiday movie is supposed to end, right? Christmas is saved, and the whole town has come together. Hurray!
I'd recommend keeping this off your holiday watch list this year. There are way too many better Holiday movies to waste your time on this dreck. Not even the power of Devito could save it, and the ending has almost offensive levels of schmaltz.
Why you should watch:
You're a Christmas maniac.
You're a Danny Devito film completionist.
Why you shouldn't watch:
You value your sanity.