FOUR HOLIDAYS

There is much to love about Christmas ‘ greeting cards, gluttony, gift-giving ‘ but also much to loathe. This romantic comedy focuses on the latter, inviting audiences to chuckle along as a mean-spirited couple (played by Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn) are subjected to not one, not two, but four family Christmas gatherings.

Like a freewheeling grandma after too much festive sherry, the film is both oddly prudish and wildly offensive. Family values are touted throughout, while lesbians, pregnant rednecks and amorous pensioners are all exploited for comic potential. Not even the Christian faith is spared a lampooning (strange for a Christmas themed film) with Vince Vaughn hamming it up as Joseph during a nativity scene, as a Gary Glitter song throbs in the background.

Reese Witherspoon has, in films such 1999’s Election, distinguished herself as a fine actor. Here, her range is limited, and she is burdened with a character who spends much of her time chasing toddlers and being vomited upon. During a cameo by Jon Voight, he and Witherspoon make eye contact, and their thoughts are implicit: (‘I’m an actor’ get me outta here!’).