The Fitzgerald Family Christmas
NR
99 min

Dec 9

Dec 2

Dec 9

Dec 2

The Fitzgerald Family Christmas

Courtesy of Tribeca FIlms
USA (2012) • in English

The Brothers McMullen writer-director-star Edward Burns returns to the family well once again with this warm, acutely observed story about an expansive Irish clan’s fraught yuletide when the long-absent patriarch declares his intention to come home for the holidays.

Club reactions by city:

Dec 9

CINEMETER	84%

73 out of 87 participating members called it excellent or good
89% would recommend it • most praised for its Acting

moderated by Matthew Bernstein

I always enjoy Edward Burns' movies--the stories, the realism, the tenderness and tapping into emotions. I really liked the theme and exploration of FORGIVENESS--especially at Christmas time.

An excellent film. I got to know each of the characters very well. Good screen play. The theme of forgiveness was handled very well.

A lot of very unhappy, unlikeable people. Good study of what family dysfunction in one generation does to the next generation.

Dec 9

CINEMETER	82%

47 out of 57 participating members called it excellent or good
91.2% would recommend it • most praised for its Acting

moderated by Patrice Petro and Gilberto Blasini

What a charming movie! It was perfectly cast.

Great story and wonderful acting!

Opened up burried feelings.

Dec 2

CINEMETER	82%

55 out of 67 participating members called it excellent or good
94% would recommend it • most praised for its Acting

moderated by Rod Armstrong

My favorite genre -- the dysfunctional family Christmas movie! There was an amazing wealth of tacky decorations - great sets! The best of this type of movie I've seen.

I quite liked this and was moved by it. I appreciate the balancing of all the stories and character development without being confusing. The homes and neighborhood felt very authentic. The shorthand of explaining family history worked well.

Presented real circumstances of family life - revisiting issues, seemingly unsolvable, as solvable with love.

Dec 9

CINEMETER	91%

70 out of 77 participating members called it excellent or good
90% would recommend it • most praised for its Acting

moderated by Diane Carson

I love the realism of this story and how it depicted how each character was affected by the father’s leaving and absence. It was a different experience for each as it often is in “real life,” and I find that fascinating and worth exploring. I love the family loyalty!

This captures a wonderful message: forgive when at all possible and love everyone as much as possible.

Overall excellent—longish, complicated, but ultimately very satisfying. Family clan dynamics generally ring true. Large ensemble cast carries off story with great skill, direction. Connie Britton as Nora is a welcome and crucial character.

Dec 2

CINEMETER	75%

92 out of 123 participating members called it excellent or good
91.7% would recommend it • most praised for its Acting

moderated by David Sterritt

Nice little holiday movie – with just enough acerbic wit and language to keep it off of the Hallmark Channel. Probably truer to life than the usual Christmas romance movie.

Brought tears to my eyes, so I must’ve liked it.

I am NOT a fan of Ed Burns. He’s been overrated for his entire career, but this is a very good film.