Christmas Eve in Miller's Point - Film Review

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Christmas Eve in Miller's Point , with a large ensemble cast that includes Maria Dizzia, Michael Cera, Francesca Scorsese, Matinda Fleming, Elsie Fisher, Sawyer Spielberg, Chris Lazzaro, Gregg Turkington, Ben Shenkman and Lev Cameron. Written and directed by Tyler Taomina in his follow-up to the acclaimed 'Ham on Rye', Tyler has put his uncanny cinematic stamp on a holiday movie, working with a standout ensemble. With a run time of 107 minutes, it'll be in cinemas on 14 November 2024.

The film sees four generations of the Balsano family gather for what may be the last Christmas in their family home in small-town Long Island, New York. Boisterous aunts, uncles, cousins, and one indomitable grandmother drink themselves merry and talk to no end—even as they strain to understand each other. As the group loses itself in rowdy celebration, youngsters, Emily and Michelle, sneak away to claim the suburban winter wonderland for teenage rebellion.


Christmas Eve in Miller's Point focuses less on a conventional plot structure, and is more of a series of vignettes. Through the lens of the camera, like a fly on the wall, you soak in all that is happening at this rather large family Christmas gathering. It's chaotic like any large Christmas gathering of relatives - conversations unrelated and flying left, right and centre. Everyone getting up to all you can imagine happening at a Christmas party of all ages. Little kids running around being mischievous, teens rebelling and sneaking off to explore the control they have over their own lives, and adults catching up on gossip, and each other's lives - siblings getting hot under the collar while discussing the sale of the ancestral house and where to put mama who is needing more care as she ages, and currently the responsibility of just one child.

Ultimately this is a family that plays well together and is united in the long day and night Christmas family get-together traditions of going for walks together amidst the rest of the celebrations, rugging up and racing out to watch a parade of lit firetrucks as they fly past; making every moment an occasion and a memory. If you're part of a large family that has huge Christmas family gatherings, this will resonate. Little ones getting those inescapable frenzy of kisses on their plump cheeks; cousins having a whale of a time together; playing tricks on each other; up to shenanigans together etc.


There is no real plot here other than a loose one about the possibility of life-changing if the house were to be sold. For the family you are watching, this may be the last time they actually have this Christmas together. The thought of their lives splintering has them put aside their differences to discuss at a later date, to instead experience all the joy and gifts in their lives they underappreciate most of the time. The music accompanying the film plays like a support act so you can get the full context of the scenes. It's Christmas music without being Christmas music. It showcases the festive nature of the holidays by hearing sixties pop for instance. Music that resonates with Christmas from artists associated with some of the most common Christmas songs put on rotation each year.

There is no one star here, amongst the sprawling cast, and this film may not be for everyone, and it wasn't for me, unless you enjoy watching random snippets of family conversations, the little morsels of large get-togethers, their backstories a mystery. Deadpan humour from a couple of ineffectual cops and an almost unrecognisable Michael Cera as one of the cops. Though in a small role, the one person that stands out is Chris Lazzaro as cousin Bruce who carries the bulk of taking care of mum. His big heart and genuine love for his family and the holidays are clearly on display in his performance exuding warmth. Admittedly, the rest of this huge family is effective and very likeable and relatable in their performances even if you probably won't grasp all the relationships in this multigenerational get-together.





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