User reviews

I stumbled upon the 2024 comedy by random chance, and since it was apparently a Christmas comedy, of course I added it to my 2024 Christmas movie marathon. And I figured that with the likes of Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid on the cast list, and given the movie's synopsis, that I would be in for an enjoyable comedy.

But that was not to be. Not even remotely. Writer Michael Cunningham dropped the ball here, on a grand level, because the movie's storyline and script felt rather forced. It didn't help much that there wasn't a single laugh to be had throughout the course of the 94 minutes that the movie ran for. And as a comedy, then it sure fell short of being on point. The movie was lacking a natural flow to the narrative, and it just felt like director Tori Hunter had to rush and cut from one scene to another without being able to completely finish the former scene, and that made the movie feel unfinished and rushed. Yeah, I wasn't the least bit impressed or particularly entertained by the story in the movie.

The movie does have some familiar faces on the cast list, with the likes of Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian Posehn and Kristoffer Polaha. Needless to say that the acting performances in the movie were good. The video phone call between Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid was great, especially because of some not-so-subtle references to "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", which definitely was a nice thing. But Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid were just in supporting roles here. The acting performances in the movie were, for the most parts, adequate enough.

"The Christmas Letter" was an insanely boring movie and a swing and a miss in terms of being a comedy. In fact, I gave up on the movie with just 20 minutes to go. But by then I was just ready to claw my eyes out from sheer and utter boredom. I was hoping the movie would get better along the way, but sadly it never did. This is definitely not a movie that I would recommend you to waste 94 minutes on watching.

And don't get suckered in on account of this being a Christmas movie, as it didn't even have an ounce of Christmas spirit or feel to it.

My rating of director Tori Hunter's 2024 movie "The Christmas Letter" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

Whether you watch 30, 45, 60, or however many minutes of this bomb, it's that much of your life you'll never get back. Bad acting, terrible writing, cheesy backdrops, you name it - this has it all. Hiring three actors from Christmas Vacation to draw a crowd makes it even worse. Imitating the musical style from Christmas Vacation is an absolute insult. Chevy Chase needs to retire before he destroys what legacy he has left. At least Randy Quaid seems to have retained his trademark quirkiness, the only bright spot in this mess. Skip this atrocity at all costs, I regret the bandwidth I had to waste to watch it.

And that says a lot because there are sooooo many crappy movies out there. Obviously Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid were cast to draw in dumb viewers like me. This movie was terrible. My 10 and 12 year old grandchildren write better than the drivel in The Christmas Letter. Unimaginative, lazy, and simplistic dialog that absolutely ruins a great concept for a Christmas movie. The acting was terrible with the exception of the actor playing the mother. I feel like I got robbed by paying $15 to watch. I should demand a refund. Hollywood needs to lift their standards fast before the unintelligent writing and acting tears it to the ground.

I'm sorry but wow. This Christmas movie was a waste my money and 90 minutes of my life. The Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid is just a purchase trap. The duo of the Christmas Vacation greats is far from expectations. They are hardly in the movie. Bad editing, Bad acting, bad special effects, horrible story and plot. Best acting in the movie was the from the guy on the golf cart with the oxygen tank. I paid $17 to purchase this movie, I immediately applied for a refund. I should of known by the bad trailer... the movie is just as bad. Giving this movie a review of only 2 stars cause I like Clark and Eddie.

I paid $4.99 to rent this disaster! It's the stupidest movie I've ever watched.. dumb writing, even worse acting. Chevy Chase should be embarrassed. What a waste of his time. Randy Quade just awful. I repeat the worst waste of my time ever. Never funny, not one laugh. Do not waste any money on this horrendous piece of junk. Who thought this was funny? Who could have put their name on this disaster? You are nuts if you rent this movie. A complete waste of your time and money. Please stay away from this. Awful, terrible movie. Bring a barf bag if you rent it. Stay away please. Never a funny moment.

The premise is somewhat interesting but that's the only redeeming value of this mess. The script is nonsensical, none of the characters are likeable and the attempts at humor fall painfully flat. Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and Brian-Doyle Murray only have minor roles and are never in the same scene. They're apparently only on the marquee for marketing purposes. Quite frankly, they should be embarrassed. Don't be duped like I was. I spent $4.99 to rent which is $4.99 too much. Even free wouldn't be worth it. I didn't waste the full 90 minutes of my time because I bailed out early. It was too painful to watch.

Living in central New York State, this is a bit of a big deal in these parts, as this alleged comedy was filmed here, but "The Christmas Letter" - written by a native of Ilion, NY, is completely and utterly bereft of both charm and laughs, filled to overflowing with terrible dialogue, acting that's amateurish at best (check out the hilariously rotten British accents!) and overstuffed with deeply unlikable characters - is an out-and-out disaster. Naturally, its story apes nearly every sitcom trope, starting with the buffoonish husband married to the sensible wife, and is at all times predictable, hitting every note you've come to expect from tales like this. The tone strives mightily for the magical realism of such holiday films as 'A Christmas Story' and 'Home Alone' but succeeds only in coming across as a Disney Channel reject. Adding insult to injury, its "big stars" - Randy Quaid, comedian Brian Posehn, character actor Brian Doyle Murray, and an ancient Chevy Chase - are but minor supporting roles, leaving the heavy lifting to its main cast of actors who seem flown in direct from a community theatre, with the only notable aspect of the lead being his fascinatingly terrible toupee. This is, of course, a tale in which someone is meant to learn An Important Message About The True Meaning Of Christmas but ultimately for the viewer the only message YOU will learn is to be careful about opening this particular present.

OK lets start with the comedy eliment of this movie! Well frankly there is no comedy it has zero laughs from start to finish!

You have Randy Quaid who has more movie time than Chevy Chase does but even both of them look bored stiff trying to muster a laugh from the poor script they were given.

You have a British family who speak like they are in England back in 1888. British people do not speak like that what so ever but by then it was a case of who cares?

Unsure if this movie is a tax loss make because I cant believe that this script for the movie was passed off to be made by movie bosses?

Not much else to say accept give this Xmas turkey movie a big fat miss this Xmas holiday folks!

Worst movie I've seen in a long time. Actually stopped it and tried to find a way to get a rental refund. Don't waste your time. Both "Stars" are bearly in the movie and all acting is bad. Sounds written by AI as most scenes dont make sense and are dragged out. Please save your time and watch anything else. I cannot emphasize enough how bad the acting and writing is in this film and it felt like this movie tried to trick you into thinking its a top Christmas Blockbuster but its not. Plot makes very little sense and honestly the description of what the movie is feels wrong and there is nothing about this adventure that is amusing or interesting.

Chevy Chase & Randy Quaid reuniting atop the bill of a new Christmas movie sounds too good to be true... cos it isn't true. Despite opening the credits of abysmal, cheap, stinker "The Christmas Letter" Chase & Quaid only have minor cameos in it, while the atrocious Kristoffer Polaha is the lead as an average-joe so jealous of the annual brag-fest letter he gets from rich childhood pen-pal Lance Bonza that despite losing his job he plans his own year of crazy expensive activities... each of which is a disaster (ha ha). Director Tori Hunter & writer Michael Cunnigham (both first timers) should never work again, while Chase & Quaid should hang their heads it is so so bad.

I was pretty excited when The Christmas Letter filmed in my area so I rented it when visiting family and was so embarrassed how groaningly bad it is. The three lead performers from the Christmas Vacation movie have brief cameos. The lead character is a truly annoying oaf trying to outdo an old college classmate's annual Christmas letter. The script is horrible and there are no laughs to be had. The actress playing the goof's wife and the guy playing a bartender are both good but most of the other performers simply can't act, and the name stars phone it in. It all seems very rushed and the scenes that are supposed to be funny or ironic just fall very flat. This is either a vanity project or a tax write off. Not every Christmas movie can be 'It's a Wonderful Life' or 'A Christmas Story' but this is truly awful. Abandon all hope, ye who rent this...

Saturday Night director Jason Reitman says Chevy Chase told him that he should be embarrassed of his SNL movie - Chevy should be embarrassed of this and all the other projects he has done over the past three years. This has to be the worse Christmas movie of all time.

Overall, the movie misses the mark, delivering a lackluster viewing experience that may leave you feeling disappointed, especially if you're looking for something fresh and engaging during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder that not all holiday films can capture the magic and warmth that the genre promises. The Christmas Letter gets one letter, an F for failure.