Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a 2024 Holiday comedy Movie directed by Tyler Taormina and written by Eric Berger, Tyler Taormina, and Kevin Anton. The film stars Matilda Fleming, Maria Dizzia, and Ben Shenkman, with a runtime of 1 hours and 46 minutes, theatre released on November 15, 2024.
Ever wondered what really happens when a family gets together for the holidays?
The happiness, the painful meetings of people you know, the cuisine, and perhaps some conflict – all is present. That is what Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is all about showing in regard to the lives and relationships of the residents of that town. However, this is not exactly the usual holiday movie that spices up scenes with large gestures or exaggerated humor. But what it is is a very tender drama of human relationships and family complications narrated in a way that is very much like watching life itself.
The Story:
In essence, the movie revolves around the story of the life of Kathleen (Maria Dizzia) a woman in her late twenties who is preparing for what could be the final holiday season her family spends in their childhood home. The house is filled with memories, but even more so this year when the family is planning for their grandmother’s future. Kathleen has her husband Lenny who is not in such a good physical or mental state, their son Andrew who is anxious about meeting cousins and the teenage daughter Emily who only has eye on other children and could care less about meeting her relatives.
The night starts like most family gatherings: very warm, friendly with constant touching and talking and lots of commotion. However, despite the joyful atmosphere, there are rough waves underlying the calm sea. Kathleen and her siblings – Matthew (John J. Trischetti Jr.), Ray (Tony Savino), and Elyse (Maria Carucci) – are faced with having to decide what is best for their mother, who is ready for assisted living. As they argue and navigate old family dynamics, the rest of the party carries on: children enjoying cartoons, elders talking, and the outside becoming regular again but celebrating the spirit of Christmas in a small town.
The Vibe: Warm, Messy, and So Real
You might think you are watching the tape of a lofty fancy composed of those videos usually seen on big family reunions. Not just what happens at a specific night, but the tiny moments: the clinking of the glasses, the rustle of feet on old carpets, M&Ms falling into a bowl. The movie portrays the confusion that comes with family members reconvening after a long time and the family trying to have fun together during the celebration moments while grappling with the animosities that come with family reunions.
The indie movie Ham on Rye was directed by Tyler Thomas Taormina, and although the movie has a plot, the director’s main goal is not to tell a story but to set the mood. He goes through all the aspects of a holiday party starting from the visual aspect to the sound to the emotions. From the conversations that can be overheard in the kitchen to children challenging each other to make ghost appearances or watching old home movies, everything seems real and tangible. It depicts film scenario in a way where everything about the film can be felt, from the aroma of the Christmas tree to the food on the table.
The intonation is friendly, but it is noticeable that the speaker is trying to find the words to express certain feelings. It does not symbolize a movie that has earth-shattering fights or an emotionally powerful speech. But it portrays tender moments that we associate with family gatherings – and, occasionally, a hint of sadness.
What Works: The Heart of the Holiday
But what makes Christmas eve in Miller’s Point stand out from all the others is that everything is woven in such a manner that it is realistic. What Taormina does is not just depict the family Christmas, but he mkakes it come alive. The camera work that focuses on several aspects of the house such as conversations and things that are going on in the room – like the player piano in the living room or children taking candies – makes you feel as if you are actually in the room among the people.
The latter is also a strong point thanks to the spectacular performances from the cast. Maria Dizzia is very credible in the role of Kathleen who is happy to return home but also under pressure and a bit overwhelmed with emotions at the same time. The other family members are also equally realistic through Lenny’s deadpan comedy while struggling to endure the night to Emily’s teenager annoyance. Subtle moments in the story, such as the family going outside to look at the sky for the Santa parade, are vivid and recalled with warmth.
The movie’s atmosphere is its main strength. Right from the lights and the tree to the enthusiasm coupled with stress seen in pretty rooms, it feels like you are watching a holiday special. Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of Christmas, everyone can relate to the feeling of being amongst our family and friends and the associated sentiments.
What Doesn’t Work: Losing Focus
The contingency of the movie in the holiday setting and family issues is a plus for the film but this becomes a little off-balance whenever the tale deviates from the central plot. Towards the climax, the emotion draws on the adolescent Emily and her cousins as they decide to sneak out of the house with the intention of pranking around. The promiscuity that they engage in brings in the aspect of the rock ‘n’ roll rebellious nature of the night but cuts them off from the soul-searching that has been occurring back at the house. The situation and emotions that the adults try to convey – illness of their mother and the loss of a home – are much more tangible and dramatic.
One of the errors is the introduction of a side-plot especially focusing on two regular police officers portrayed by Michael Cera and Gregg Turkington. These scenes with Caddy and the younger kids, which are closer to silent comedy, do not fit well in the context of a more realistic and believable story. These scenes are jarring and take the viewer out of the family environment that has been created by the movie.
What makes Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point different from other holiday movies is its subtlety. A scene where the kids are looking for a family pet in the basement of their house. The faint notes of a muting player piano performing far in the background. A scene where the siblings have to maintain the Christmas spirit while having a heated disagreement about how their mother is being treated. These small and believable elements add spice to the movie and ensure its plot is as believable as real life.
Family traditions such as walking the family to watch a local Santa parade or viewing home movies turn into emotionally charged endeavors. They do not just denote the merrymaking of the holiday but are more focused on the relations and experiences related to it.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of indie films, and those who enjoy movies mainly revolving around the relationship of the characters and the mood of the film. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is particularly for viewers who enjoy watching stories that depict everyday life, family-focused narratives and realistic Holiday stories. It should also be advised that this is an excellent choice for a viewer that does not crave movies with intense action sequences or shocking plot turns but rather people that seek to see the depth of people and their emotions in everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is not of those Christmas movies that people get to watch during the festive season. It’s serene, for lack of a better word, unpretentious, and full of realistic detail recalling why people look forward to family gatherings and dread them at the same time. Still, I found it falters slightly in its third act, I can confidently say Holiday is an excellent, immersive film. All in all, if you are eager to watch a movie that reveals the essence of the family and the bitter-sweetness of the holidays this is a film to turn to.
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for strong language, teen drinking, some suggestive material and smoking.
Violence: Teenagers drive recklessly. Girls purposely flick food at the Christmas tree. Teenagers watch first-person shooters and the victims are depicted on the screen, but only for a short period of time. A car runs into mailbox.
Sexual Content: It is possible to observe brief mentions of Sexual Harassment related to a homosexual relationship between two coworkers. Here we have two girls who are assessing the degree of consent if they have to touch each other. In this scene, teens engage in sexual activity in cars through a game of spin the bottle where they couple off and start making out. They are filmed or caught on camera embracing and possibly even making out. There is occasional references to the topic of sex but it is not lewd.
Profanity: Overall, the script has 13 obscenities which include four uses of a term for a deity, 5 mild obscenities, some vulgar references to the human body, a curse that involves feces, and one sexual expletive.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adults use cigarettes and cigars. It is evident that during Christmas dinner, adults and teenagers take wine. A teen seems to be stoned. Adults become intoxicated.
