Merry Good Enough

This movie had drama, mystery and romance but none of it was developed. Like at all. Ever. The acting was good but there was just nothing there.

The mom disappeared having left in her car. It was technically a mystery, but it was actually just a fact. No drama. No suspense. Toward the end of the movie there was a brief scene, maybe 30 seconds where the viewer might think something dramatic happened, but nope. Nothing.

There was a romance of sorts. Nothing led up to it and it went nowhere. It wasn't even displayed in a provocative way. Again, it was just a fact, not a developed thing stirring emotion.

This was supposed to be a Christmas movie. We're told in a line or two of dialogue that they were meeting for Christmas, but it really had nothing to do with Christmas.

I guess the movie was well named in that everything presented was "good enough" to say it has drama, romance, mystery, etc., but nothing was developed.

The only way a viewer will be stirred by anything in this movie is if a character might say a line or be in a brief scene that reminds the viewer of something in their own life that stirs emotion. It's not the movie itself that will stir it. There is really nothing to this movie.

A wonderful depiction of family dysfunction meets warm and fuzzy. This is the PERFECT film for a family with adult children around the holidays. It touches on the reality of being around family (and the hardships that can bring) while also emphasizing the importance and resilliency of family love. I was especially pleased with the perfect balance of romantic comedy and drama - the reality of being home and reverting back to old habits after being away from the people that are supposed to know you best was so refreshing. In a world where streaming and seasons long TV shows give you the time to get to know characters at length, this film does it in 97 minutes. Great writing, great acting. Already pre-ordered the film and will definitely be watching multiple times. GREAT FLICK! Highly reccommend.

"Merry Good Enough" is a delightful film that really dives into the whole complex family dynamics storyline. It's got a perfect mix of engagement, heart, and holiday humor that just makes you laugh, cringe at times, and feel the festive holiday spirit.

Raye Levine totally owns it as Lucy, smoothly handling all the craziness of her quirky family. When Lucy's mom disappears on Christmas Eve, you can't help but root for her as she tries to bring everyone back together. I totally got where Lucy was coming from - wanting that close bond with her mom, even if it meant dealing with some clashes along the way.

The movie wraps up with a heartwarming family reunion, kinda like the chaotic but awesome gatherings I've had with my own family. "Merry Good Enough" is a must-watch, giving your holiday movie lineup a cool and fresh twist with its sweet storyline.

There's something so great the overall mise en scène of this movie and my guess it has to do something with the setting and where it was filmed (which I read was somewhere in Massachusetts). The cozy home interiors, snow dusted rural off roads, even the artificial decor of a Chinese restaurant, all of it, i believe, will elicit the nostalgic feeling of Christmas past in many viewers.

The cinematography is very good too. As well as costuming and art. It feels like a real Christmas.

Oh and the story is good too. None of that hallmark sludgy saccharine nonsense. Real enough to feel authentic without being too dark for the holidays. Just right. "good enough" one might say.

Merry Good Enough is destined to become a Christmas classic. The story line and characters are familiar to us because we have all experience them. But they are reflected back to us with such warmth and humor that our attention never flags. There are none of the over-the-top plots or caricatured performances here, just sensitive, nuanced portrayals of our friends and families dealing with issues that seem to surface every holiday season. So why is the film so riveting? It is because we are drawn into a world that is deep within our personal experience, but not so intimate that our thoughts turn inward. Instead, we feel only love, and empathy for the characters and joy at their triumphs. The casting was superb. Each actor displayed a range of skills from comedic timing to genuine emotional vulnerability. The direction, editing and music were worthy of a big budget film. But, this is an "Indy" produced on a shoestring, making it worthy of "Christmas miracle" status.