​FILMS

love the coopers

2015 review number 182:

Love the Coopers: (Comedy/Drama): 50 out of 100: This Christmas movie will appeal to those who enjoy sentimental affairs but for those who desire more substance, you'll be left disappointed. With all these stars one would expect a brilliant film but the main problem lies in the storytelling. Separate stories result in all of them coming together when the family has their Christmas dinner. The stories are not really that interesting and they are affected by too many flashback, reminiscing and imagining scenes.

 

Charlotte (Diane Keaton) and Sam Cooper (John Goodman) have been married for 40 years but they have reached the end of their marriage. Before they split up, Charlotte wants the family to be together one last time. Charlotte's sister, Emma (Marisa Tomei) has always been jealous of her sister and is struggling through life when she is arrested by a policeman (Anthony Mackie) for stealing jewellery. Bucky (Alan Arkin) is their father who enjoys having conversations with Ruby (Amanda Seyfried) in the diner where she works. Charlotte and Sam's son Hank (Ed Helms) is separated from Angie (Alex Borstein) yet they must share the responsibility of looking after three rather difficult children. Eleanor is Hank's sister and she disappoints her mum Charlotte by not being married already so she brings home a total stranger and pretends he is her her boyfriend to make her pleased.

 

The movie is told as a tale which means plenty of narration from Steve Martin. After a while this technique becomes annoying. The story is a stop/start affair with many scenes being interrupted by flashbacks. One could forgive the separate stories if they were compelling but it's been done better in movies like Love Actually. There are several mildly amusing moments however, which ensure the movie is watchable.

 

There is nobody in the cast who produces their best work. It's more of a workman-like effort rather than anything dazzling and memorable. A major point is that Keaton seems to be doing the same thing as demonstrated in recent roles, playing the matriarch who has insecurities. The best scenes involve the whole family when they eventually get together but you do have to wait over an hour for this to happen as the separate stories take their time to unravel.

 

It's not the best Christmas movie you will ever see but if you are easily amused, you might experience some pleasurable moments. Just be prepared for a disjointed movie that could have gone further with its characters by involving them in more interesting plotlines.

 

Starring Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Marisa Tomei, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Anthony Mackie and Alan Arkin

(107 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, sexual references and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we see a Santa Claus walking down the street and towards the end of the credits the cast sings some Christmas songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TSX_0rwPNc (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Monday 30th November, 2015)

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