Nutcrackers Review: Christmas in the Country

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Ben Stiller, who I haven’t seen since his minor role in Hubie Halloween, makes a welcome return to leading roles in Nutcrackers, a 2024 holiday comedy-drama that attempts to blend humor, emotion, and family dynamics. Directed by David Gordon Green, the film has the foundation of a heartfelt holiday classic but struggles with execution, leaving its audience with mixed feelings about its potential and its results.

At its core, the movie follows Mike Maxwell, a corporate workaholic from Chicago who reluctantly travels to rural Ohio after the sudden death of his sister and her husband. Mike finds himself responsible for his four orphaned nephews, the Kicklighter boys, during what he initially plans to be a brief visit.

However, the experience challenges his priorities and assumptions, forcing him to reevaluate his relationship with family, work, and himself. It’s a setup rife with potential for emotional storytelling and humor, and the film delivers moments that hint at something great. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between.

Nutcrackers is another movie in 2024 that comes up with an interesting plot, but doesn’t do all that much with it. It reminds me of Hot Frosty, which I just watched. Someone came up with a great idea, but the execution isn’t quite right. Before I get too far into the negatives, let’s take a look at the positives.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its cast. Ben Stiller’s performance as Mike is nuanced and engaging, bringing a sense of authenticity to a character that could have easily felt one-dimensional. His chemistry with the young actors playing the Kicklighter boys—portrayed by the real-life Janson brothers—is natural and heartwarming.

These boys inject the movie with energy and charm, making their scenes some of the most enjoyable parts of the film. Linda Cardellini also stands out in her role, delivering warmth and depth in her limited screen time. These performances elevate the material and make certain moments resonate more than they otherwise might have.

There are glimpses of humor and tenderness throughout the movie. Scenes at the family’s farmhouse, complete with mischievous chickens and unruly pigs, add a layer of lightheartedness that balances the story’s heavier themes of grief and loss. The climax, centered around a homemade production of The Nutcracker, is touching and well-executed, serving as one of the film’s most memorable moments. It’s a testament to the cast’s ability to convey emotion even when the script doesn’t provide much support.

However, these strengths can’t fully compensate for the film’s shortcomings. My biggest issue with Nutcrackers is its lack of depth. While the movie hints at an emotional backstory for Mike and his nephews, it never fully delves into their struggles. Mike’s past remains frustratingly vague, and the boys’ experiences of loss are largely glossed over. This leaves the audience with little to latch onto emotionally, making it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

The pacing also detracts from the film’s impact. At just over 100 minutes, Nutcrackers feels surprisingly thin. If the movie felt jam packed, then maybe I could forgive the lack of character details, but that isn’t case. There are long stretches where not much happens, and the narrative meanders without building meaningful tension or stakes. The film’s plot is straightforward, which isn’t inherently a problem, but it doesn’t do enough to enrich the characters’ journeys or make their growth feel earned. As a result, the emotional beats lack the weight needed to leave a lasting impression.

Another major flaw is the movie’s disjointed structure. While individual scenes work well on their own, they often feel disconnected from each other, resulting in a lack of continuity. The transitions between humor, drama, and sentimentality are jarring at times, and the film struggles to find a consistent tone. This inconsistency undermines its attempts to deliver a cohesive story, leaving the audience with a series of moments rather than a unified experience.

Despite these issues, Nutcrackers does manage to explore some meaningful themes. At its heart, the film is about family, loss, and personal growth. It shows how grief can bring people together and how unexpected connections can lead to self-discovery. While these themes aren’t explored as deeply as they could have been, they still add a layer of sincerity to the story. The family’s journey to come together and stage their version of The Nutcracker reflects their late mother’s love for ballet and serves as a poignant tribute to her memory.

The ending, though predictable, provides a satisfying conclusion to the family’s arc. The ballet performance, in particular, is a highlight, combining humor, heart, and a sense of closure. It’s a moment that encapsulates what the movie could have been if it had fully committed to its emotional core.

Ultimately, Nutcrackers is a mixed bag. It has moments of genuine warmth and humor, bolstered by strong performances from its cast, but it falls short in its storytelling and character development. The film feels like it’s trying to be a holiday classic, but it doesn’t have the substance or cohesion to earn that title. Instead, it comes across as a decent but unremarkable entry in the genre—a movie that’s enjoyable enough in the moment but unlikely to leave a lasting impact.

For those looking for a light, family-friendly film with some holiday spirit, Nutcrackers might be worth a watch. Its charming cast and occasional heartfelt moments make it a passable option for a cozy evening. However, viewers hoping for a deeply moving or memorable experience may find themselves disappointed. In the end, Nutcrackers is a movie that aims high but doesn’t quite hit the mark.