Movie Monday 12/15

We watched two holiday movies last week, both modern classics, as well as starting in on our collection of classic children's Christmas specials on VHS. My college son is home with mono and his younger brother has a concussion and can only watch a small amount of TV, so the familiar, short Christmas specials are just right for him.

I finally convinced my older son to watch Love, Actually, which is one of my favorite holiday movies - and also one of my all-time favorites generally. He wrinkled his nose and said, "It's a romantic comedy," but I explained it's really about all kinds of love including a father and his stepson, brother and sister, and even long-term friendship. Mostly, I think he agreed to it because I was upset that night - had a bit of a meltdown from all the stress lately - and he was humoring me. But, of course, he ended up loving it! You just can't help but love this feel-good movie. It takes place at Christmas time and involves a huge all-star ensemble cast (it was the first movie to take this approach of multiple, intersecting storylines peopled by big stars and has been much-copied since). It moves back and forth between different storylines, all involving some form of love, gradually surprising you with how some of them are connected. So, Hugh Grant plays the new Prime Minister of Britain who has a crush on his assistant, while Bill Nigh is fabulous as an aging pop star who is hoping that the horrible Christmas version of his big-time pop hit will be the #1 holiday song on the radio. Liam Neeson plays a recent widower trying to connect with his grieving stepson (who has his own first crush). Emma Thompson plays a busy mother whose husband is considering an affair. Keira Knightley plays a newlywed who wonders why her husband's best man doesn't like her. And Colin Firth is a jilted lover who escapes to a quiet country house in France to work on his suspense novel and forget about love. I've tried not to give away any of the surprises in this summary because that's half the fun. There are some sad points in the stories, but mostly, it is a joyful, fun movie with lots and lots of laughs. My son loved it, and I exchanged my depressed real-life tears for happy movie tears, even though I've seen it several times before. This is the ultimate uplifting holiday movie.

I also convinced both of my sons to watch a holiday movie from the 80's with us, Trading Places (are you seeing a pattern here? At ages 20 and 16, my sons usually meet any suggestion mom makes with eye rolls!). They were both sick and bored enough to give it a try. If you've never seen it before, Trading Places is a comedy starring Dan Akroyd, as a wealthy young man rising to the top of his stock trading firm, and Eddie Murphy, as a disadvantaged small-time con man who lives on the streets. Through some unusual circumstances, the two trade places, and it doesn't take long for Murphy's character to adjust to the good life and Akroyd's character to hit bottom. Jamie Lee Curtis also appears - wonderfully - as a hooker with a good heart and big dreams. Oh, and it takes place at Christmas time, so that's the holiday connection. It's all good fun, with plenty of laughs and a happy ending.

So, those are two good movies to watch this time of year, if you are looking for some light, uplifting holiday cheer (note that both are rated R so are not for younger kids).

Have you seen any good movies lately? What are your favorite holiday films?