Happy Christmas

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Happy Christmas

R

2014

1h 18m

Holiday

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

An immature party girl (Anna Kendrick) moves in with her brother's family to get over a breakup and throws their lives out of whack.

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Critics Consensus

Intelligent, well-acted, and satisfyingly low-key, Happy Christmas marks another step in prolific filmmaker Joe Swanberg's creative evolution.

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Karl Quinn

The Age (Australia)

11/08/2018

The performances all round have a slightly improvised vibe, with Lynskey and Girls creator Lena Dunham (as an old friend of Jenny's) especially finding the groove where a little roughness around the edges only serves to enhance the charm.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

06/18/2016

Swanberg's let-the-camera-run aesthetic can go either way - towards self-indulgence, or overheard, naturalistic candor. Thanks in no small part to the considerable gifts of his cast, 'Happy Christmas' goes the right way.

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Keith Staskiewicz

Entertainment Weekly

12/02/2014

B

Swanberg's naturalistic, improvised style lets the conflict come about organically, repeatedly putting the characters in situations to which they could react with clichés but instead go with something more empathetic and nuanced.

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Joshua Polanski

There Were No Gods Left

May 27

The Christmas movie genre as a sum is entirely pointless to the effect it destroys joviality; “Happy Christmas” gives that pointlessness a style to partner with.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

10/17/2024

2/5

There's a quirk and curiosity to it to some extent, but I feel it meanders too simply and too aimlessly.

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

11/17/2021

2.5/5

Although not an entirely successful movie, 'Happy Christmas' is a giant leap forward for Swanberg.

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Keith B B

@Okbullard Dec 18

I thought it was really good and such a change from a typical Anna Kendrick character. Ann Kendrick and Melanie Lynskey were so good together. It's worth your time.

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Keith P.

Dec 14

To call this a Christmas movie is the same as saying The Office is a show about Applebee's. This is one of the worst movies, a complete waste of time unless you enjoy going to places like Applebee's and not talking to your date but instead just listening in to other people's conversations because your life is that utterly boring, which mine isn't. I want the hour and twenty minutes of my life back that just got wasted on this horrible film.

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Coach

@Coachofthedefense Dec 13

It’s not a sappy Christmas movie, and a different kind of performance for Kendrick tha you might be used to. If you like “slice of life” films, you’ll enjoy this. If you’re looking for a more classic Christmas romp, this won’t be for you. The pacing is definitely reserved but the natural performance of the actors creates a subtle and realistic view of family life.

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Kyle S

Dec 4

Could not make a connection to any character or situation in this dull and drab film.

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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. Nov 26

Joe Swanberg has directed a pretty strong film here, he's also a great actor. Kendrick is always good. A pretty good film that examines issues of family and trust. Once you start watching you will be drawn in.

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Kathleen C

Nov 6

Couldn’t get through more than half of the movie. It is so pointless and boring. I don’t know how it has any decent reviews.

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Joe Swanberg

Director

Anna Kendrick

Jenny

Melanie Lynskey

Kelly

Mark Webber

Kevin

Lena Dunham

Carson

Joe Swanberg

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Synopsis

An immature party girl (Anna Kendrick) moves in with her brother's family to get over a breakup and throws their lives out of whack.

Director: Joe Swanberg
Producer: Joe Swanberg, Peter Gilbert
Screenwriter: Joe Swanberg
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Tiki Bar Films, Lucky Coffee Productions
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1K
Runtime: 1h 18m

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