Deck the Halls
(2006)
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito are both engaging, talented performers whose heyday was more than fifteen years before this crummy Crimbo crap was produced. Broderick’s cast as an uptight (his predominate character trait post his fortieth birthday) family man who rigorously ensures Christmas goes according to plan each year. Until new neighbour DeVito (playing a coarse, unscrupulous DeVito stereotype) moves in and upsets everything.
DeVito wants his house to be seen from space, so goes to ever-increasing lengths to light it up. To Broderick’s escalating chagrin. Before long they’re engaging in a full-on feud while their spouses (Kristins Davis and Chenoweth) and children look on with disgust.
It’s a tried and tested, and very, very, tired formula that never approaches anything vaguely inspired. It’s Christmas fare utterly devoid of charm. It’s a family film that mines humour in fathers leching after their own daughters.
