Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
Brad and Kate have made something of an art form out of avoiding their families during the holidays, but this year their foolproof plan is about go bust -- big time. Stuck at the city airport after all departing flights are canceled, the couple is embarrassed to see their ruse exposed to the world by an overzealous television reporter. Now, Brad and Kate are left with precious little choice other than to swallow their pride and suffer the rounds.
Four Christmases is a formulaic holiday romcom that hits familiar beats without much surprise. The premise of visiting four dysfunctional families in one day has modest comedic potential, but the script is uneven and the tonal shifts between broad slapstick and forced sentimentality feel awkward. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon bring some charm and chemistry but are working with thin material. Cinematography is serviceable and unremarkable for the genre. The film offers little that distinguishes it from countless other holiday comedies, relying on stock dysfunctional family archetypes. The ending attempts an emotional resolution that feels rushed and unearned given the chaos preceding it.