In the most unlikely of places, four siblings find a loving shelter in an unexpected turn of circumstances. This endearing comedy-drama draws inspiration from actual events and deftly crafts a gripping story that unites everyone.
Chuck says:
Having not taken a leading role in over seven years, it’s surprising that Ben Stiller would return in something as pedestrian as David Gordon Green’s “Nutcrackers.” Predictable and bland, the film is obvious in its intent as the script by Leland Douglas is a by-the-numbers construct, a holiday film wanting to move us by witnessing a hollow character’s redemption. A bit of a spark is provided by four child actors, amateurs all, whose unaffected nature lends a bit of authenticity to this tepid affair. But that’s far from enough to breath any life into this moribund enterprise.
Tell me if you’ve heard this one before…Michael (Stiller) is a high-flying businessman from Chicago who’s about to close a major deal he’s been working on for six years. However, the weekend before a crucial deadline, he finds himself in rural Ohio. Seems his sister, who he’s been estranged from, has died, along with her husband, in an auto accident. They’ve letf behind four orphan sons. Micheal thinks he’s been called to the Sticks to simply sign papers authorizing their being moved to a foster family.
However, as fate, i.e., lazy writing, would have it, this arrangement has fallen through. This news is delivered by Gretchen (Linda Cardellini), a comely social worker who, were Douglas concerned about expediency, should wear a sign around her neck saying, “Love Interest.” Before you can say, “How much longer is this movie?” Michael is stuck in a cluttered, rundown farm looking after four nephews he doesn’t know, his business deal in jeopardy.
Oh, the shenanigans that take place! Look at Michael chase a chicken around in his business clothes! Watch the city slicker fall into a lake when his nephews trick him into rowing to the middle of it in search of a strong cellular signal! Gasp in surprise as the boys take their uncle’s sportscar for a joy ride! And get ready for your sides to split in laughter, when old Mike steps into a pile of dog dodo! Boy, this guy sure is out of place!
As this rote exercise plays out, the Jansons, Arlo, Atlas, Homer and Ulysses, provide brief moments of interest as the nephews, Simon, Samuel, Justice and Steve, respectively. Each making their film debut, the raw quality they bring to their roles provides a bit of spontaneity that’s welcome. One gets the sense Green didn’t have the quartet memorize their lines as much as give them a general idea of what to say and let them phrase things as they would. The unpredictable nature of their scenes is of mild interest, their grilling their uncle about sex being a highlight.
However, there simply aren’t enough moments like this to lend the film the sort of energy that makes retread material seem fresh. Green continues to be an enigma, a director who was a sensation early on with indies like “George Washington” and “All the Real Girls,” though his work with Hollywood studios has been a mixed bag. From broad comedy (“Pineapple Express”) to edgy drama (“Joe”) to witty social commentary (“Our Brand is Crisis”), the director has been content to crank out unimaginative, exploitive horror films with the recent “Halloween” trilogy (2018-2022) to last year’s woefully inadequate “The Exorcist: Believer.”
“Nutcrackers” is not a sign that he’s moving towards realizing his early potential nor is it an auspicious return for Stiller. No, this is a throwaway exercise unworthy of their talents and certainly not worth any viewers’ time.
2 Stars
