A Christmas Reminder
Michael (George Stults) and Caroline Anderson (Christy Carlson Romano) came from nothing but after making it rich have each year gone over the top when it comes to throwing the most lavish of Christmas parties and giving the most expensive of gives to their family and friends. But then Michael loses his job just before Christmas they suddenly find themselves not only having to cancel their annual Christmas extraveganza and their irresponsible spending. That is when Aunt Katie (Julie Brown) arrives to give them a reminder that you don't need to spend lots of money to have a good Christmas and appreciate family.
Not all made for TV Christmas movies are made equal and whilst some have a wholesome romantic angle which might appeal to adults others go with more full on comedy aimed at a younger audience but not necessarily being about children. That is where "Christmas with the Andersons" sits as the comedy is frequently so full on that it is likely to make a grown up groan rather than laugh. Then again I do wonder whether the cheesiness of some of the comedy, the sort where characters swing more towards caricature than reality will amuse children either.
The thing is that whilst the humour in "Christmas with the Andersons" is in my opinion more suited for a younger age the storyline is aimed at a grown up audience where we have a married couple who have become so wrapped up in wealth, greed and showing off what they have getting a reminder of not only where they came from but how you can enjoy life more with out the need for the latest gadgets and gizmos. It isn't complicated in the slightest and often corny but at the same time a wholesome reminder that life is not about being the richest guy in the graveyard.
What this all boils down to is that "Christmas with the Andersons" is one of those movies which has its heart in the right place with a reminder about what is important. But it is a movie with a tone which whilst maybe enjoyable for a young audience could be too corny for grown ups.
Tags: Christmas Movies
