A Sudden Case of Christmas

Realistic and heartwarming. The scenarios are breathtaking. Real life drama, makes me appreciate my family even more. Antonella Rose did such a good job and her chemistry with Danny Devito was the reason I would watch a sequel! When the puppy was missing and the way Claire found him it was such a special moment.

The guy that works at hotel was so funny. The ballon scene was hilarious. I would have jumped too, I'm so scared of heights, so I don't blame the dad.

I would say a cute, wholesome movie with good acting/directing and life lessons. If you like real story movies this one is for you!!!!!

It loses steam as it goes on, though 'A Sudden Case of Christmas' is fairly good.

The cast are the big draw. Danny DeVito is obviously the main man, I always enjoy watching him. The likes of Andie MacDowell and Lucy DeVito are alright alongside the aforementioned, though it's Antonella Rose that is the star overall - a strong performance from the youngster. Adrian Dunbar has a small but memorable role, even if he is too good an actor for such a bit part.

It's not the most Christmassy of movies, despite the title. That's to be expected given how the story unfolds in fairness, but definitely something to be aware of if you're planning to watch this for the first time as part of your core festive viewing. It was released at Xmas time, but honestly a summer release would've been more fitting; à la the plot.

What's there, though, is perfectly watchable and the Italian surroundings look grand, at least. It only lasts for around 90 minutes, I admittedly did feel it drag a bit towards the end. More meat on the bones would've helped, the finale could've been something more interesting than what we get with the four-legged fella.

All in all, I consider this narrowly passable. 7/10.

I'm giving this sweet film 9 stars mostly for the great Acting and beautiful setting. The story doesn't seem too unrealistic like some Hollywood movie plots tend to lean - that turns me off as a viewer since I prefer realistic and relatable story lines. I came for a Christmas movie, which it isn't really, its about family and forgiveness. The young actress playing Claire is outstanding! Danny is also fabulous, as is the entire cast. I definitely recommend this film is you like a cozy little story. It has a little comedy, a little romance, a little culture, and a little suspense - something for everyone.

Where to start with this. The characters are just odd.... And their lives are boring. That's basically the 2 major issues here.

The movie is just boring.

About half way through I catch myself wondering about the running time. That's when you know you have a problem when your thoughts turn to "when is this over."

Eventually I was so disinterested I just played video games with it running in another monitor hoping it gets better.. And eventually it just got obnoxious to the level I just had to turn it off.

If I had to say anything good about it. They all played their parts well (poorly written as it was). So there was that I guess.

Apply performed by all. It's just. People don't act like that. It's like the author had never seen a human before. And at some point I can see even the storyteller must have caught on because they appear to add quirky characters to fill in a lack luster story.

But their so poorly written themselves that it only makes it worse.

2 stars for Danny Devito.. Sorry that's all I have to give.

This Christmas comedy from Peter Chelsom is a remake of the 2022 Italian film Improvvisamente Natale.

Abbie (Lucy DeVito) and Jacob (Wilmer Valderrama) are a couple on the brink of separation. They take their daughter Claire to her grandfather's Lawrence (Danny DeVito) hotel in the Italian mountains in August.

Only Claire senses what is about to happen and wants to celebrate Christmas in August. Lawrence and his loyal employee Otto go about making sure they have one last family Christmas.

They are joined by Jacob's parents who are also facing a marital crisis.

Peter Chelsom once had a promising directing career in small scale British movies such as Hear My Song and Funny Bones. It all grinded to a halt with the disastrous Warren Beatty film Town and Country in 2001.

He has never got his mojo back. Even though this is a remake, A Sudden Case of Christmas is a poor film that wastes Danny Devito. Not really Christmassy, not aimed at a family audience and not funny.