Released on November 21, 2007, director Preston A. Whitmore II expresses the true meaning of a Christmas holiday as a broken family find union through love and sacrifice in the movie This Christmas.
Sometimes what we really need is a simple loving movie about a family who find themselves when coming back home on the Christmas holiday. Little do they know that celebrating a special holiday is not as simple as it sounds in the Whitfield family household.
Actor, Idris Elba, plays Quentin Whitfield, the oldest son in the family who took after his dad’s ambitions and became a musician. Following his footsteps, Quentin left home leaving his younger siblings behind. While his sister, Kelli Whitfield (Sharon leal), went to college to pursue a successful career, her sister Lisa (Regina King) was left to pick up the pieces and be her mother’s right hand as she took care of her three younger siblings. As they got older, Lisa had no choice but to marry and become her husband’s stay at home mother and wife. While Mel Whitfield (Lauren London) went off to college, Claude Whitfield (Columbus Short) joined the military and left Michael aka Baby (Chris brown), the youngest of the five, at home with the mother who never accepted the father’s retreat.
Siblings, who despite their differences, supported and protected each other in their own tough love way. Throughout the movie, we find out just how important family is and the things people put themselves through to see their family happy and proud.
This Christmas should be recommended to kids 15 and up. Although the movie is rated PG-13 some of the vocabulary and particular scenes would not be understood by younger kids. Even though the 56% rotten tomatoes movie is disliked by many because of the slow and uninteresting scenes. I found it to be honest and filled with a live picture of a common household on a holiday. The actors outstandingly fit their parts and although it was not filled with much action, the drama leaves you on your heels wanting more. No doubt you will want to root for the happiness of this struggling family with a difficult pass. This Christmas can be found in stores especially during the holidays. If you want a real moving family Christmas movie, then This Christmas is for you.
Three out of five candy canes = an Ugly Sweater
