Christmas with the Kranks

Published December 26, 2023

Film info

Title Christmas with the Kranks
Director Joe Roth
Year 2004
Run time 1hr 39m
Genres Family, Comedy
Tagline No! Ho! Ho!

Finally alone for the holidays, Luther and Nora Krank plan to eschew the Christmas traditions and take a cruise in the Caribbean instead. This doesn't sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors Vic Frohmeyer and Walt Scheel, who are determined to win the annual 'best decorated street' competition, and the Kranks soon find themselves social outcasts because of their lack of Christmas spirit.

Live blog

Time	Comment
2:49	Ah I have read the book! Don’t remember it though, dammit.
9:32	How can you spend $6000 on Christmas??
15:34	It’s hard when the cute people are sad but you have to stick to your guns!
19:43	Are we supposed to be on his side or not? Because I so am, it’s the principle of the thing.
24:56	“I am the one taking the brunt for your hair-brained scheme.” That’s sounds about right.
34:56	I’m with Miranda on carollers, people whose singing ability is inversely proportional to their enthusiasm.
37:19	He’s home alone-ing his front lawn.
39:36	The orange botox white suit look is horrific but so eighties.
43:32	“Stupid idea? Two minutes ago I was a genius.” “Yea, well now you’re an idiot.”
52:17	How much is this all costing them? Argh!
1:07:28	US electrics are so bad!
1:19:43	I feel like he’s allowed to be a bit annoyed about the cruise though.
1:24:35	Did not see that coming and now I’m in bits.

Thoughts

I was aware that this film has very poor reviews but I’ve read the book and it has a great cast, so why not give it a go? Turns out, I loved it! I can see why people don’t necessarily like it as it’s a bit grinch trying to skip Christmas, but I thought it was funny, and in the end quite moving. The neighbours were a nightmare and I would definitely have moved long before it got to this point, but hey, all’s well that ends well.

Rating: 5 / 5