There are so many iconic Christmas films that families gather together to watch every year. Home Alone and Elf are a couple of the more modern ones, whereas It’s a Wonderful Life is the most classical of classics. Ahead of the big day, Jamie Rooke argues that ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ combines the best of both worlds, and deserves to be in everyone’s festive film rotation.
Tim Allen is a Christmas classic mainstay whereas Jamie Lee Curtis is synonymous with movies of a very different nature. The pair crossed paths here in this 2004 film and had the weight of seasonal expectations on their collective shoulders. This might be a film but it is in fact based on a novel. The book in question is John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas, a November 2001 release.
It is a Christmas tradition that sees the Kranks hold the most explosive party every year for their whole street, but this year is different. Daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) joins the Peace Corps and so her parents opt for a change. A Caribbean cruise is on the agenda, only for Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) daughter to come home at the last minute, expecting a party for the ages. Time isn’t on their side, but Christmas spirit is.
The best place to start with this film has to be the cast. Tim Allen is best known for voicing Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise and (when it comes to this time of year) for his titular role in The Santa Clause films too. The latter might be what Allen is best known for nowadays, but his performance in Christmas with the Kranks gives it a run for its money. The two festive figures which he portrays are very different but equally as excellent.
As previously mentioned, the leading lady isn’t best known for her performances at this holiday. Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her long-standing role as Laurie Strode in a modern trilogy of the Halloween film series, totalling seven movies for her, alongside the brutal serial killer Michael Myers. Her character is almost unrecognizable here though as she takes on a happy-go-lucky, Christmas lover.
Allen and Curtis play the Kranks excellently, as they are troubled with a lot of stress and drama so as to make their home Christmas party ready. Their grinch-like choices this year face a lot of backlash from their neighbours of all ages, particularly Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd) and his family. The way the Kranks deal with the adversity and get back on track makes this a fascinating watch.
All comes good in the end though and going along with the romantic nature of the holidays, the old couple over the road, the Scheels, are given a memorable present by Luther Krank. The cruise on which he and his wife were supposed to go on was instead taken up by cancer-stricken Bev and Walt.
The party ends up being as good as every year with thanks to the whole street. Frohmeyer and co forgive the Kranks and chip in together to make sure all goes to planned. It is a heart-warming Christmas story for all to enjoy and there are a lot of laughs along the way, as is often the case when Tim Allen is concerned.
Christmas movies at their peak are ones that can be watched by any and all members of the family. That is exactly the case regarding Christmas with the Kranks– something that can be watched every year without fail and it won’t get old.
Christmas with the Kranks is one for all to enjoy. It has the feel of an old Christmas classic and that is exactly what it is. Some of the chaos of Home Alone and love from Elf are combined in one of Tim Allen’s finest performances.
Words by Jamie Rooke
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