A Not So Merry Christmas
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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A Not So Merry Christmas
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Not So Merry Christmas is a Mexican comedy about a grumpy man who is put under a spell and forced to repeat his least favorite holiday of the year over and over again until he learns to appreciate what he has. It's filmed in Spanish, and two key characters are gay. There's some stereotyping about what a young boy who is gay might be like, and though his father initially doesn't accept his sexuality, the dad comes around and makes amends. There's also a theme about what different religions teach about how we should treat others. A married couple kiss. Language in the English subtitles includes "f--k," "a--hole," "poop," "stupid," "idiot," "lazy bum," "jerk," "moocher," and "weird," and a man calls his sister a "chubster." Adults drink alcohol at meals and gatherings as well as in bars. An uncle has a drinking problem and gets drunk at family reunions; he eventually gets sober. A man smokes.
What's the Story?
A NOT SO MERRY CHRISTMAS stars Chuy (Mauricio Ochmann), a married father of two who detests that his birthday is on the same day as Christmas Eve. It means his birthday is always filled with preparations for the traditional family dinner and gift exchange, while he goes uncelebrated. Chuy's wife, Daniela (Ana Brenda Contreras), and his son and daughter (played by different actors at different ages), put up with his annual grumpiness. One day, Chuy encounters a fairy godmother who puts a spell on him that forces him to repeat his least favorite day in perpetuity until he learns to change. This takes him years. Meanwhile, his kids grow up with a bitter father, and his wife starts to tire of his attitude. Will Chuy be able to turn things around before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
Just as main character Chuy gets stuck in time, so do audiences feel stuck in this film's repetitive scenario. Ochmann does what he can with the lead role in A Not So Merry Christmas, and he has a gift for comedy seen in other films like the recent Y Cómo es Él (Backseat Driver). But the wacky premise and humor of this film feel a bit too local for Netflix's global audiences, and the whole package feels derivative of other films. A song-and-dance opening number is completely separate from the rest of the story. When the film takes on a slightly more serious tone toward the end, it becomes more interesting and more genuine.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lessons Chuy learns in A Not So Merry Christmas. Why did it take him so long?
How do the fairy "diva" godmother's lessons change depending on the costuming?
If you were put under a spell in order to make one major change in your life, what do you think that change would be?
What other films can you think of that have similar plotlines to this one?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 23, 2022
- Cast: Mauricio Ochmann, Ana Brenda Contreras, Manu Nna
- Director: Mark Alazraki
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Holidays
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 23, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Y Cómo Es Él? (Backseat Driver)
Language, sex, violence in Mexican buddy comedy.
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Anonymously Yours
Teens party, swear in spirited high school romcom.
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Groundhog Day
'90s comedy offers witty, sarcastic take on redemption.
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It's a Wonderful Life
This classic delivers warmth all year long.
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