Happy Christmas

Anna Kendrick's heartbroken party girl moves in with her brother and his wife in this festive comedy that is at once familiar and unique. The plot doesn't deviate wildly from other "nightmare sibling" comedies, yet the loose, improvisational style feels refreshingly different. Unlike many films centred around family, Happy Christmas is populated with pleasantly destructive personalities. Kendrick's character isn't a nightmare, she's just a bit lost; while sister-in-law Melanie Lynskey greets her shenanigans with a restrained frustration that feels very real. A nice but not exactly shocking finale caps off a comedy that trundles along enjoyably, buoyed by the talent and enthusiasm of those involved. If you need a Christmas film with more heart and less schmaltz, this could be the right choice.