It’s Christmastime and the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family are converging at their parents’ home in Chicago to celebrate the season and rejoice in their youngest brother’s safe return from combat overseas.
There are some standout performances from some young stars on the rise.
– Ben Lyons,
At the Movies,
15 Dec 2008
rotten:
Harmless, predictable, contrived -- if those are the best things you can say about a movie I think you should definitely skip it.
– Ben Mankiewicz,
At the Movies,
15 Dec 2008
fresh:
With help from a lively cast and a twist on the formula, it seems fresh and enticing -- like a Christmas present you didn't know you wanted but are delighted to receive.
– Ruthe Stein,
San Francisco Chronicle,
12 Dec 2008
rotten:
While there may well be nothing like the holidays, there's a lot that is dully familiar about the movie of the same name.
– Linda Barnard,
Toronto Star,
12 Dec 2008
fresh:
Though the turf is well-traveled, the characters' camaraderie and their palpable sense of ethnic pride trumps the predictability and makes for a tale that is pleasantly appealing.