Friendsgiving

There are surprisingly few movies about Thanksgiving, and one about friends celebrating together seems like it should be promising, but think twice before queuing up this crass, chaotic comedy. It boasts a cast full of comedic talent, is loosely based on a true story, and was executive-produced by comedy giant Ben Stiller, but it doesn't feel good to laugh at the misery of women in their 30s trying to navigate life.

It's hard to feel a sympathetic connection to any of these characters. Of the three "real" women, only one has the capability to be relatable: Abby, who only recently realized she was gay and is grappling with her loneliness. She has no children or significant other and lives far away from her family. So she envisioned a perfect holiday with her lifelong best friend, Molly, who just happens to be a movie star. Third wheel Lauren, meanwhile, seems to have the perfect life -- and despite getting schnockered by drinking too much, she really has no other dimension. The other characters are unbelievable over-the-top sketch comedy creations who don't offer insights or depth; they just get in the way of the core duo/trio and create noise. And the way the friends dish about their sexual experiences in crude terms and gestures might be funny in real life, but it could also be offensive to many viewers. In other words, in a multigenerational setting, your family will probably be grateful if you skip this film.