'Almost Christmas': A Laughter-Filled Celebration of Family and Holiday Miracles Turns 7
By: Rhanni Lew
David E. Talbert's take on an African-American Christmas Dramedy, Almost Christmas, celebrates its 7-year anniversary today. With a talented and comedic star-studded cast, it was hard not to laugh throughout this movie. Starring Danny Glover (Walter) as the family patriarch, still grieving the loss of his wife, he is determined to have the perfect holiday season as he sets out to bake the perfect sweet potato pie, as his wife did every year prior. Monique plays the hilarious and outspoken aunt (Aunt May), who comes to help the family of her late sister. Although she can be a bit eccentric, her career as a background singer to all the pop and soul artists you can think of has given her out-of-this-world experiences. She is the aunty who does not play and will unapologetically put you in your place.
Danny Glover, Nicole Parker, and Romany Malco in ‘Almost Christmas’
With all four of his kids, his two in-laws, and a few grandchildren, Walter is set to spend this first Christmas without his wife, who passed 10 months prior, with his family, and he knows if they can get along for 5 days, it will truly be a Christmas Miracle.
With many storylines, the Meyers kids bring home their own issues for the holidays. Successful dentist Kimberly Elise (Cheryl) is stuck in a rut with her goofy husband and his wandering eye, J.B. Smoove (Lonnie). Recently divorced Gabrielle Union (Rachel) is still trying to figure things out as a struggling single mom in law school, parenting a tween daughter who just might have it more together than she does. Romany Malco (Christian), a senator running for Congress, obviously has a hard time balancing and setting boundaries between family and work. Meanwhile, the youngest, Jessie Usher (Evan), is a college football star with a bright future recovering from a shoulder injury. Lastly, the handful of child actors shine as young millennials attached to their iPhones and enthralled in 'grown folks' business; their cameras do not miss a moment.
Although this film is filled with great actors and has a sense of relatability, JB Smoove and Monique's comedic chops are endless in this film. There is never a dull moment with these two, as you never know what they are going to say next. The cast is what brings this movie to life as they navigate through feelings of heartache, anger, and love. Although it may have a pretty predictable storyline, it does what it was meant to do: make the viewer feel good and love and appreciate their families with a hearty laugh.
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