Watch Surviving Christmas

Surviving Christmas is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell and produced by Robert Simonds. The film follows the story of Drew Latham (played by Ben Affleck), a wealthy, single business executive in Chicago who is desperate to have the perfect Christmas experience. However, when his girlfriend dumps him and he is left alone for the holiday, Drew decides to revisit his childhood home in suburban Wisconsin hoping to relive his fond memories of Christmas.

Upon arriving at his childhood house, Drew discovers that the Valcos, the current residents of the home, are not too keen on his idea of spending Christmas Eve with them. Tom Valco (played by James Gandolfini), the patriarch of the family, tells Drew that he and his family do not want any guests over. However, Drew has other plans and offers the Valco family $250,000 if they will pretend to be his family just for the holidays.

Initially, the Valco family, especially Tom, is against Drew's proposal. But as they learn more about his lonely situation and his reasons for wanting to recreate the Christmas experience of his childhood, they reluctantly agree to his terms. The Valcos, along with Drew, embark on a journey of rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas, and in the process, they end up learning more about each other.

Throughout the film, Drew's attempts at creating the perfect Christmas do not go as planned, and his quirky behavior and over-the-top shenanigans often lead to hilarity and chaos. Despite his initial brashness, Drew begins to see the Valcos as more than just actors in his Christmas fantasy. He begins to empathize with their familial struggles and appreciates the kindness and warmth they show to him.

Along with sharing laughs and bonding over the Christmas holiday, Drew and the Valcos get caught up in a series of wacky misadventures filled with snowball fights, a botched nativity scene, and an awkward yet emotional encounter with Drew's ex-girlfriend. In the end, the movie delivers a heartwarming message about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of family and togetherness during the festive season.

Ben Affleck delivers a standout performance as Drew, the lonely executive in search of the perfect Christmas holiday. Affleck infuses his character with a charming vulnerability that makes Drew a likable and relatable protagonist. Christina Applegate also shines as Alicia, a member of the Valco household who eventually becomes Drew's romantic interest. James Gandolfini is perfectly cast as Tom, the gruff and guarded dad who becomes the heart of the Valco family throughout Drew's stay.

In summary, Surviving Christmas is a fun and light-hearted Christmas comedy that delivers a message of family and togetherness during the holidays. The film's performances, witty humor, and entertaining storyline make it a perfect choice for a cozy family movie night during the festive season.

Surviving Christmas is a 2004 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 19.