User reviews

As a Robin Williams fan, I'm sad to say that this, one of his last films before he died, was not a good one. This is not the film by which you should remember the late great Robin Williams. It is an affront to his legacy as a great comedian and actor. This is a forgettable film that will forever be overshadowed by his much better performances, and relegated to the dustbin of sub-par forgotten Christmas films, of which there are many. Now I'm not criticizing Williams, I think he was a wonderful actor but this film thoroughly stinks and, well, he signed on to play a role in it.

The writing was pretty bad and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. It felt like the actors were playing parodies of dysfunctional characters from other family films. Joel McHale was very dry and awkward throughout the film. His delivery did not come across as genuine and the scenes where he was supposed to be emotional felt fake. I felt the highlight of the film was actually the interactions between two side characters: Luann played by Lauren Graham, who you know as the mom from Gilmore Girls, and the always delightful Candice Bergen infamously known for her character Murphy Brown. There is a section of the film where these two, annoyed by the antics of their respective spouses, decide to drink until intoxication while reminiscing and goofing off. It is genuinely the highlight of otherwise dreary 88 minute mess.

I can't quite say if I enjoyed this movie or not. I initially wanted to see it because of it starring Robin Williams. (RIP) But then I saw the rest of the cast listing and was locked in on my decision. However, the movie itself left me with a mix of emotions. For a movie staring two hilarious actors, Hale and Williams, the mood was just a little too serious throughout. And even the humor was clouded in a way by something more depressing. There were funny parts to be sure, but it wasn't nearly as funny as I'd have hoped for. The storyline was decent except for the underlying current of utter despair that simply oozed out of this movie's pores. So, yeah, not my favorite movie by any means, but it had its moments. I'm really sad to think of it as being the last one we'll get from the great Robin Williams. I was hoping for something at the end of the credits, and in that I was not disappointed. The dedication to Williams was very touching and sweet.

I'm a huge fan of Robin Williams, Candace Bergen and Joel McHale. This story line had potential, but the way it was written was downright depressing. If I had seen this movie before Robin Williams killed himself, his death wouldn't have come as such a shock. He looked and acted like he was ready to do it all the way through the film. Candace Bergen's character was lame and not very smart. She seemed to be out of touch with reality most of the time. Joel McHale's character was so filled with hate throughout most of the movie that he didn't seem appropriate for a Christmas film. I realize that holidays are horrible times for a lot of people who feel a need to spend time with people they can't stand because they're "family". But that's not the sort of thing I want to see in a holiday movie.

I found this movie on Netflix, and I wondered how come I didn't see a trailer for this in the theaters or on TV? With such a solid cast, it should be good? After watching it, the best word that comes to mind is "disappointing".

Whomever wrote & directed this clunker shouldn't quit their day job. I would imagine that they lost big money after paying this cast. The story is terrible and stupid. Such a waste of great talent like Candice Bergen and Robin Williams. They aren't even believable as a married couple.

It's very sad that this was Robin Williams' last films. Especially when you think of all the classic characters that he played over the years, that he would choose such a badly written/directed film. The movie is depressing & lame.

Now I know why it wasn't successful in the theaters. A total clunker.

Family is not pretty all the time and Movies with a great cast dont always make a great movie. It was a good movie though and it ended better than it started. I'd watch it again next Christmas.

I know you're only paying attention to this movie because of one of the greatest actors and comedians of all time, who recently died (Robin Williams if you didn't know) is in it. That's the only reason I even watched this Christmas comedy. Or, I'm actually a fan of some Christmas movies like Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street and I even thought Jingle All The Way kind of worked. However, A Merry Friggin Christmas is a poorly made comedy with a very bad cast. I like most of the actors in the film like Clark Duke , but they all did an awful job. The absolute horrible script. doesn't really help.

The story centers around a father who accidentally leaves all his son's Christmas presents at home, and attempts to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise to get the presents, with his dad who's played by Robin Williams. Since I grew up with Robin Williams, I had to watch this. His death hit me so hard even though I never knew him or met him. I ignored the awful plot at first, but everything is just so bad about this film.

The main problem is that it's supposed to be a comedy with a few touching moments. I can't remember laughing while watching this. All the jokes were either very childish or just dumb. I don't think Robin Williams improvised any of his lines in this film, because I have never watched a movie with him there I didn't laugh at least twice. Since you weren't introduced to the characters in this comedy at all, you didn't really care about them.

This is just an awful Christmas movie everyone should at least try to avoid. I'm giving the movie a 3/10 because I still thought it was nice to see Robin Williams and Oliver Platt (who also starred together in the very good sci-fi film Bicentennial Man). Except for that, there's nothing worth mentioning here. The last years of Robin Williams consisted of poorly made comedies (except for a few movies like World's Greatest Dad), and A Merry Friggin Christmas just proves it.

First, let me say, this is the best Christmas movie I've seen in a long time. While the idea behind it seems to be a stereotypical Hallmark Christmas movie, the movie addresses the issues in a decidedly non- Hallmark way. It doesn't just resolve with everyone forgiving each other because of "Christmas Magic" and it doesn't treat serious issues in a heavy handed way.

While it has plenty of comedic moments, you shouldn't consider it a comedy. If you do, then it fails because, while the antics of the characters are pretty funny, it isn't a fall-off-your-seat-laughing sort of movie. It is a genuinely good movie about a dysfunctional family, children questioning the magic of the world, and a father who is desperately trying to be a better dad than his was.

It is extremely well written and the performances by Joel McHale, Lauren Graham, Candice Bergen, and (of course) Robin Williams make this movie a must see for any Christmas or Robin Williams fans.

This film tells the story of a hedge fund manager who goes home to spend the Christmas with his estranged family. He forgets to bring along with him the Christmas present for his son, and has to go on a long journey to rectify his mistake.

I watched this because it's one of Robin Williams' final films. He plays a grumpy old man who seems to know how to enjoy life, as opposed to his son, who goes a long way to try to be a good father. The plot is very weak, however, and I don't really care for any of the characters. The jokes, which include Nelson the supposedly a war hero, and the recurrent police encounters, are simply not funny. I find "A Merry Friggin' Christmas" a huge disappointment. The only good thing is that the main bulk of the film only runs for 73 minutes.

If you liked Four Christmases, this is like an entire movie set at Brad's dad's house, and that's a good thing. This is a dark comedy about a family with past hurts. We loved it. Disfunction is real life people. If you like Four Christmases, Bad Santa, or Surviving Christmas then give this a go. Life is ugly. Stop pretending Christmas is a just like a Hallmark movie and have fun.

Going to start this review of by saying that the world is at such a loss without robin Williams as this feel good xmas comedy shows just how great of a actor he was. the film starts off bit slow but then once robin Williams character comes into the plot it becomes interesting. the plot is a simple one which I feel helped this film evan more and you can read the plot above in the info next to the picture. The jokes and one liners are great and funny and despite all the mishaps it gives off a nice message and just in time for xmas as let's face it films like "jessabelle, horns, dumb and dumber too" don't really give you a festive feel. So if you want a original xmas comedy with a great cast a funny drunk santa and a overall feel good film for this time of year then be sure to go watch this film.

This is one of the most depressing Christmas movies ever made. There was not one thing truly funny or redeeming about the movie. The movie had a good plot and the potential to be a decent Christmas movie, but it was difficult to watch for many reasons. The dysfunctional family was pitiful. I don't know if they were suppose to be funny or not. They were not! Good actors/actresses wasted their time making this movie. There were too many curse words for a family movie. What else can I say except, disappointing and depressing? Not a holiday classic. Nice to see Candace Bergen in the movie. Great acting from Candace and Robin Williams as well as the other actors.

This is not trolling, neither do i want this comment to sound disrespectful in any way.

Watched the movie for robins sake, as it was one of his last movies. Family Christmas themed comedy, yay! Though, what it really was, is just an awfully written drama.

First thing that came to my mind after finishing the movie was disturbing, but i think there's a lot of truth in it. Basically what i thought was that this movie took a part in what killed him. If i casted in such movie, i'd want to kill myself too.

I didn't find single scene even slightly funny. All it has been is marathon of sadness. Robin dedicated his life to laughter and making people around happy and the opportunities and surroundings have just thrown bricks beneath his feet. If i met the person that wrote this script in person, i'd throw in a few punches. I'm not a violent person, but how can one make Christmas themed comedy with robin williams in cast this sad?

I'm not even going to comment the movie/plot itself, as it's not worthy of words.

I give this movie 2/10, and that one point goes purely to robin and his utter genius. I adored robin while he was around, and forever will.

Boyd Mitchler: "Look kids it's snowing". Mitch: "It might be ashes".

Boyd (Played by Joel McHale) and his family (Played Robin Williams) who are forced to spend a dreaded Christmas at his parents' house with his eccentric father that he has been avoiding for years. When he realizes that he left his son's gifts at home.

This movie has it's good, it's bad and lot of scenes that made me go "No way, I can't believe they did that". Some of the acting in this was pretty good: Joel McHale, Clark Duke and the great Robin Williams all do fantastic job in their roles. While watching this movie I go that sense of the Christmas spirit in side of me, which I always like when movies or TV shows get that sense of feeling of whatever season it's celebrating right.

This movie has it's bad like: Some of the acting in this movie wasn't all that good and the movies message about the true meaning of Christmas got lost in it's messy script and it's numbing characters. Joel McHale character in this movie was such a Jerk and a peace of work. I hated his character so much, because he was so annoying and so rude to his father, and yes I know his father abused him when he was a little kid but we never see that, even in the the flash backs when he was a little boy and his father didn't abuse him at all. At times his father seems really nice and really caring for his son, at one point he tries to his son and the son pretty much says "F'ck off!", to him.

A Merry Friggin' Christmas has it's ups and downs, but the three good actors really done carry this movie for me making it a merry Christmas indeed.

A very enjoyable holiday film with great casting. It did remind me of a TV movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A man, played by Joel McHale, who suffered through an alcoholic father and less than great holidays, is determined to make his son's holidays as terrific as possible. He also wants his son to believe in Santa for as long as possible. After they make the long drive to his parent's home for Christmas, the parents realize they've left the son's gifts all back at their house. So McHale decides to drive back home overnight and get the gifts, so that his son can still believe in Santa Claus. When his car dies, he's forced to make the drive with his father. I'm sure you can guess how it all ends up, but it was still fun and charming, with a few laugh out loud moments. The end is very cute and just what you'd want in a holiday film.

Great and entertaining drama comedy. Really enjoyed it. If you expected a Christmas comedy with all the Hollywood joy then this is not for you. This is more like a real Christmas reunion with tension between family members.

With Robin Williams and Candace Bergen, I had hopes for a funny romp. This effort is dull, and maybe the script read funny, but we watched to the end, so it got two stars. Oliver Pratt's brief appearance as a drunk Santa is almost startling. There's an attempt at reconciliation between the estranged father and son that...fizzles. And there aren't any real laughs, though they really try...