SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Spoonatects Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

serina miller It is all about Christmas! Being so full of joy, those who are lonely get most depressed! Ben captures the emotions of Drew, this nostalgic successful businessman who is always lonely in Christmas, so tries to overcome that by making a business deal and rent a family for the holidays!! This movie is depressing and hilarious at the same time, and it kind of grow on you every time you watch it! Home alone, states the problem, but this here a real home alone guy go search for a family to not be home alone any more! May be this the sequel where Not home alone again!! Lovely movie, every part is detailed and sarcastically funny! And the song at the start of the movie gives you a hint of what are going into!! A real Christmas classic.

pemme001 I really enjoyed this film, and I think it is more interesting and certainly more believable than the ridiculous scenarios foisted upon us by the writers of Christmas Vacation. The performances by all the cast members ring true, again as compared to the aforementioned supposed "classic" National Lampoon production. The story makes sense, as set up in the beginning when Drew gets dumped by Misty, and Christina Applegate's performance is authentic. The chemistry between Ms. Applegate and Mr. Affleck is palpable and I was won over by their growing attraction to each other. The supporting cast, particularly James Gandolfini as Ben's "father" and Katherine O'Hara as his "mother" , create interesting, well rounded characters whose lives come together again as the result of the new family situation they find themselves in. bill Macey is very believable as Drew's grandfather , or "DooDah." I realize I am probably in the minority in terms of finding the film quite entertaining, but that is the truth.

mmqc_l Grab your eggnog and sit back to watch Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini push and pull this dysfunctional family into the holiday spirit one battle at a time. This movie is the one you want to pop in just after you get home from a long day of shopping. With such strong actresses as Catherine O'Hara and Christina Applegate, the guys have a tough time claiming all the comedy here. But you will laugh out loud all through this film. Each new cast member is added just at the right moment and you will be wanting the story to go on even after the final battle has been won.'Surviving Christmas' will become one of the family favorites and one not just to be watched during the holidays.

elshikh4 This doesn't deserve neither the poor profits nor the evil reputation (released to DVD 9 weeks after its release !). True Ben Affleck is here but – surprisingly – it's not as bad as in other movies ! The story is simple with funny characters. It achieved a good balance between comedy and having a message. Though, the main problem remains in the script. Some weakness blemished it, especially in the second half with forced love story; between the lead and the family's daughter, making up situations between them through a snow ride that didn't complete, let alone unintelligible reconciliations between all at the end; the husband and wife, the lead and the daughter.So the climax is brittle to an extent weakens the final effect, but nothing could deny the cuteness of the characters, even if their details were improvised (as Gandolfini said once, critically!). I loved the opening credits with parodying the too happy Christmas's songs, with wicked dark sense that ridiculed as well as lamented our present days. The pace was talented. The situations, if a bit ribald, were comic. In fact there was distinct humor all over it; remember the fake dream that Affleck's character prepared then canceled in the nick of time; lovely cartoonish (in terms of cartoon; all the movie works as a Simpsons episode). And it's enough to say that I liked Affleck in a comedy, well, it's like saying I watched the devil in paradise !Overall, there was a comedy and a meaning. Both did survive eventually. And if this movie was called names, nominated for Razzies, then watch other Affleck's movies, and other Christmas's ones, to know how clever (Surviving Christmas) is. Then watch real BAD movies, from the same year, that didn't get any nomination for even one Razzie, such as Soul Plane, The Whole Ten Yards, The Ladykillers, Ocean's Twelve, The Village, and Napoleon Dynamite, to know how wronged (Surviving Christmas) is, also !