What makes “Almost Christmas” stand out from other African American Christmas themed movies is the focus on making the patriarch the glue of the family rather than a matriarch, and keeping the film fairly light hearted in lieu of going for a melodramatic route like The Best Man Holiday.
Almost Christmas stars Danny Glover as Walter Meyers, Gabrielle Union and Kimberly Elise as his daughters Cheryl ad Rachel, Romany Malco and Jessie T. Usher as his sons Christian and Evan, JB. Smoove and Nicole Ari Parker as his son in law and daughter in law and Oscar winning actress Monique as Walter’s sharp tongued unfiltered sister in law May. R&B singer Keri Hilson also has a supporting role in the film.
The premise of the film is about an African American patriarch who recently became a widower trying to gather his family together for their first Christmas together since their mother’s passing. At the center of the family conflict is sibling rivalry between sisters Rachel and Cheryl. Other conflicts that arise include one of the Meyer daughters dealing with her husband’s adulterous affairs, and a politician conflicted between protecting an institution that was dear to his mother’s heart vs making a decision that would benefit his campaign at the expense of the people his deceased mother cared for. The drama comes to a head at Christmas dinner but gets resolved quickly.
Almost Christmas is a movie that is under two hours and the scenes and jokes quickly move from one half to the next. The film also doesn’t really begin to kick into gear until Monique’s character makes her grand entrance as the sassy Aunt May owning the scene. As Aunt May Monique shows that despite not appearing in a comedic role on screen in about eight years, her sharpness in delivering the brand of comedy that made her a household name before her Oscar win is as authentic and good as it has ever been. May is a singer, however there is no singing from Monique which would have been an interesting addition to the film but we do get Monique showing off her piano playing talent or lack of and dance moves.
Like many African American family foods, food in itself serves as a character causing frustration and danger in trying to make it, as well as serving as a source of unity.
The sibling rivalry between Union and Elise’s characters and the reason behind the rivalry could have been more complex and better explained. The tension between the two characters seems like it wasn’t major enough that it couldn’t be solved before the film’s storyline began. Also Glover’s character Walter comes across as almost too perfect almost Cosby like.
Overall Almost Christmas will come across as memorable for Monique’s and JB Smoove’s comedic performances as well as rising comedic talent DC Young Fly’s interactions with Monique. Also watching Almost Christmas viewers might draw comparisons to the African American film Soul Food in which Almost Christmas draws a few similarities from. Be sure to stay for the post movie bloopers which are not to be missed.
