Merry Good Enough

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.

This is one of those films that's exactly what you want it to be. It's fun, funny, charming and heartfelt. A great balance of the spectrum of things we all experience over the holidays...Chaos and heartfelt family warmth.

This intimate story is full of great characters who each get a meaningful and/or hilarious moment to shine. And of course the story is propelled by the talented leads: Raye Levine, Sawyer Spielberg, Daniel Desmarais, Comfort Clinton and Joel Murray.

The story unfolds in such a way that it holds your interest all the way through, with sprinkled laugh out loud jokes mixed with tear jerking moments.

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 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.

This Christmas movie captivates with its charm and relatability, featuring outstanding performances from Raye Levine, Sawyer Spielberg, and the entire talented ensemble. It delves into the compelling and nuanced dynamics of a dysfunctional family prompted into introspection following their mother's disappearance just before Christmas. The characters are exquisitely crafted, with Lucy's emotional evolution in her relationships with her mother and siblings portrayed in a way that's heartfelt, humorous, and thought-provoking. The dialogue is consistently fresh and natural, bringing an authentic emotional depth to this touching depiction of a troubled yet lovable family.