A Sudden Case of Christmas blends holiday warmth with stunning Italian scenery, but its tonal inconsistencies and cautious approach keep this charming film about Christmas in summertime from becoming a standout in the crowded Christmas movie genre.
★★☆☆☆
In A Sudden Case of Christmas, a whimsical remake of the 2022 Italian film Improvvisamente Natale, director Sofia Maggi blends festive family drama with a dash of European glamour. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Italian Dolomites, the story follows Abbie (Lucy DeVito) and Jacob (Wilmer Valderrama), a couple on the brink of divorce, as they attempt to soften the blow for their precocious 10-year-old daughter, Claire (Antonella Rose). Their plan? Stage one last perfect Christmas in the middle of August at a luxurious resort owned by Abbie’s father, Lawrence (Danny DeVito).
From the start, the premise teeters between charming and contrived. The idea of decking out a working chalet with holiday cheer in the sweltering summer months strains credulity, yet it creates the setting for emotional revelations and lighthearted hijinks. Lawrence, the warm but sharp-tongued patriarch, immediately senses that Claire is not as clueless as her parents believe. Her insistence on staging a fake Christmas, however, is less about tradition and more about repairing the rift between her parents. Think Parent Trap with a festive twist.
Danny DeVito anchors the film with his portrayal of both a hotel owner and grieving widower who cares deeply for his fractured family. His no-holds-barred turn as the incorrigible Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has cemented him as a master of outrageous comedy. Yet here, DeVito plays it disappointingly safe. As Lawrence, he’s warm, caring, and occasionally witty, but the performance feels restrained. The script offers him little room to unleash the oddball energy that has made him such a magnetic presence on screen, even in a Christmas film like Deck the Halls. Instead, he’s reduced to a genial bystander, reacting to events rather than driving them. It’s a role that feels more like a cameo than a showcase, and while DeVito’s natural charisma ensures he’s still enjoyable to watch, the film never capitalises on his comedic chops. He’s a performer who thrives on unpredictability, and A Sudden Case of Christmas feels overly cautious in comparison to his best projects.
That said, DeVito’s scenes with Antonella Rose, who plays his granddaughter Claire, are among the film’s highlights. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the warmth they bring to their interactions gives the film much of its emotional weight. In these moments, DeVito shines as a loving grandfather who subtly encourages his family to confront their issues.
Unfortunately, the film struggles to find its identity. It flits awkwardly between two tones: an over-sentimental, family-friendly holiday tale and a more mature exploration of the complexities of love, marriage, and loss. For every tender moment, such as Andie MacDowell’s grandmotherly musings about the nature of true connection, there’s an oddly adult-oriented subplot—like Mark’s (José Zúñiga) unresolved one-night-stand and Lawrence’s casual nods to infidelity—that clashes with the family-centric theme. This tonal inconsistency keeps the film from being fully satisfying for either audience it tries to target.
The lavish Italian scenery is undeniably stunning, but at times it feels more like a tourism campaign than an integral part of the narrative. The characters, too, can feel like secondary players against the picturesque backdrop. While the Dolomites add a touch of escapism, they occasionally overpower the intimacy of the story. There’s nothing in the story that demands it be set in Italy; the hotel setting could have been any European country and the effect would be mostly the same.
Still, A Sudden Case of Christmas does offer moments of genuine warmth. The family’s attempt to recapture holiday magic becomes a metaphor for addressing their unresolved conflicts. Beneath the tinsel and artificial snow lies a story about grief, resilience, and the difficulty of staying connected in an ever-changing world. Lawrence puts it fittingly: “Just do what everybody else does in the world – fake the crap out of it. Make believe we’re havin’ a holly jolly time”. The ensemble cast gives spirited performances, with Wilmer Valderrama and Lucy DeVito doing their best to convey the pain and nostalgia of a failing marriage, though their characters feel underdeveloped compared to their on-screen daughter and father.
The film’s most peculiar yet strangely endearing moment comes when Andie MacDowell, as the sharp-witted grandmother, recites D.H. Lawrence’s poem Know Deeply, Know Thyself More Deeply. It’s a surprising artistic detour that, while somewhat out of place, hints at the deeper, more profound film A Sudden Case of Christmas could have been.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the film is a mixed stocking. Its earnestness and humour make it a step above the typical mid-tier holiday movie fare, but its ambition to juggle lighthearted family moments with weightier themes leaves it stretched thin. It never quite delivers on its potential as either a festive tearjerker or a sophisticated dramedy. It’s an enjoyable enough watch, but for viewers hoping for something truly memorable or groundbreaking, it’s definitely not a new Christmas classic you’ll be watching every year.A Sudden Case of Christmas premieres on Hulu December 13 and is available on VOD and DVD.
Words by Kieran Webb
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