Review of The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012) by Thomas W — 18 Dec 2012

Edward Burns's latest film is much more in-line and similar to his very first film, The Brothers McMullen, than anything else he has done since. It is a dialogue-heavy family-drama like his first, and as I enjoyed the conversations between his realistic and flawed characters in McMullen, I appreciated his return-to-form here with a holiday-themed family flick (for patient adults) about a family of seven siblings wrestling with the thought of spending a Christmas with a father who walked out on the family 20 years earlier.

Burns stars as eldest brother Gerry who wants to meet with the family before Christmas to discuss what they'd like to do about their returning father; but as the other six siblings (including Mike McGlone [from McMullen], Kerry Bishe [Argo] and Heather Burns [Miss Congeniality]) have other family and personal obligations before the holidays it proves to be rather difficult to get the clan together.

The film isn't anything grounbreaking and it can be melodramatic but it is a pretty realistic depiction of a middle-class family with everyday problems (for film anyway) and so many might not want to watch it.

The best thing about this film is the chemistry between the actors -- Burns has assembled a cast that works very well together and while some of the dialogue and situations might be a little far-reaching, there is no denying these actors work well together.

Connie Britton ("American Horror Story", The Brothers McMullen) has a small role as a care-giver for an elderly neighbor; but it is nice seeing her and Burns re-unite onscreen again as they work (they are great together .

.. but who can't she play opposite?). There are some moments of BAD lighting and staging but when this happened I stopped watching and listened. This is for Edward Burns fans and those who like simple family dramas.