Christmas Do-Over (2006)

Christmas Do-Over is Meet the Parents meets Groundhog Day. It is not a Groundhog Day clone because that movie required Bill Murray to keep perfecting the one day until he got it right; in this movie, Jay Mohr doesn't know in which direction he has to go or if he will ever be able to escape. At first, he's a cynical, self-absorbed 35-year-old adolescent who's intent on ruining Christmas for everyone -- esp. once he realizes there's no escape from his predicament. Next he tries dozens of variants in several different directions; the permutations never fail to amuse. Only when he turns the tables on the situation, works to gain every advantage, and does more than mouth the right words but actually becomes the person he used to be for his son and ex-wife can he begin to have hope -- and even then nothing is certain. Every member of the family does a great job in their roles; you really grow familiar with their personalities over time. (Ruta Lee as Granny is a character as well as a septuagenarian dish while Daphne Zuniga as Kevin's ex-wife Jill is kindhearted and genuine. I enjoyed how Kevin eventually steals the initiative from Jill's boyfriend Todd -- he is so devious!) Based on my personal experience, I would not say this movie is insensitive or unrealistic regarding divorced families (beyond encapsulating a story of Christmas magic in a very tight Hollywood timeline). Warning: One scenario's tumult involves a tussle with sullen neighbors dressed as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Christmas Do-Over is hilariously entertaining as well as heartwarming. I really enjoyed it and would be happy to watch it every year from now on. 4 stars.