A Sudden Case of Christmas

This is a remake of an Italian film, Improvvisamente Natale.

Lucy Devito and Wilmer Valdarrama are Abbie and Jacob Randall. Though they normally visit her father (Danny Devito) in Italy over Christmas, this year they show up in August.

The reason? They're separating and want Gramps to break it to their precocious daughter Claire (Antonella Rose). She's very good but because of her character being in therapy, she talks like a 40-year-old college professor.

Claire is way ahead of them - she's figured it out - and requests one last family Christmas there in the Dolomites. This means her father's parents also have to make the trip.

The scenery is breathtaking, and it's really the star.

Despite the presence of DeVito, it lacks the hilarity usually associated with him.

There's a lovely message, and it's a decent family film, but it's no great shakes and doesn't feel all that Christmassy.

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'll write the first one and maybe the last one of this terrible movie. Who was it aimed at? It's got characters cheating on each other and a girl who wants to have Christmas in the Dolomites in August. What possibly can go wrong?

The "local" kids are American sounding. The hotel is owned by DeVito and has a staff of (from what we can make out) one Irish guy. And yet it looks like a 4 start hotel. Huge!! Massive rooms and only one guy and a dwarf looks after it? It's weird and stupid. How did they assemble a cast like this for a shocker of a film? It has no charm. None. I can accept B grade films about Christmas with a returned local helping out in the bakery shop and falling for the high school sweetheart that has stayed forever there... loads of those that have enough charm to at least be better than this.

I don't get Hollywood or its stars because what ever they have agreed on it must be in the contract to only have one take, all expenses paid (first class of course) and enough pay to buy the actual hotel they use for location.

And don't get me started on Kelsey Grammars crap Christmas movie ...

I've just finished watching A Sudden Case of Christmas, and while some viewers may not fully grasp the underlying message, I certainly did. I found myself identifying with Claire from the moment I started watching. As a child, every Christmas, I was filled with anxiety, fearing that my parents would argue and that we wouldn't be able to celebrate at home with all of my cousins. I vividly recall a particular year when my aunt couldn't make it, and I was deeply upset because the holidays were always at their best when spent with my cousins. The central theme of the film is undeniably clear: no matter the differences that may exist between people, it is imperative to put them aside and come together to celebrate Christmas as a family. Watching Danny DeVito's performance was like the proverbial cherry on top-he is, without a doubt, an extraordinarily charming and hilarious presence. The dynamic between Claire and Danny was truly heartwarming, evoking both laughter and tears. The hotel staff member was equally entertaining, and the cinematography was simply breathtaking. The children's performances were endearing, adding a layer of sweetness to the film. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this movie.

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.