Surviving Christmas
User Score
4.4 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 12 out of 23

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  1. RyanM.
    Feb 5, 2005
    1
    Walking out of this atrocity made me not laugh at the content which was applied in the movie...but the fact that there is someone out there so desperate to revive themselves they'll sink to starring in a movie like this. Ben Affleck had more impressive roles as in such classics as Gigli or Dogma. and yes, the following was sarcasm at its finest.
  2. SeanP.
    Nov 8, 2004
    0
    Oh that Affleck!
  3. VinceH.
    Oct 23, 2004
    2
    I really hope that James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara got paid well to be in this. I imagine that was the only incentive, since this script is terrible with a Capital T. Not only is every Christmas movie cliche thrown in the stew, but every movie that ever featured a whiny-rich boy who learns a lesson in the end (Dutch, Trading Places, etc) except without any of the comedy. The main problem is that neither Affleck's loneliness and alienation connect and we really never feel that he desperately needs help. The romance with Christina Applegate is so pre-determined that there is no real tension at all. We KNOW they will get together in the end and nothing interesting happens in-between. If you're looking for a decent Christmas comedy, skip this turkey and just wait for Meet the Fockers.… Expand
  4. Rodney
    Oct 23, 2004
    0
    Oh My God!
  5. SusanM.
    Feb 3, 2005
    7
    I actually thought this movie was pretty funny and good, I'm not saying it deserves any Oscars, but I laughed at it a lot and I thought Ben Affleck was pretty good, I don't know why everyone is so against him and everything he does.
  6. RoscoeC.
    Oct 22, 2004
    1
    My recent bout of the clap was more enjoyable than this movie.
  7. ACE!
    Oct 23, 2004
    0
    Dear God in heaven, I would not wish this film upon even the most vile child-molesting neo-nazi serial killer as penance.
  8. DamianP.
    Dec 5, 2004
    5
    I always go to Christmas movies with low expectations, and this one wasn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I laughed a few times, which is more than I can say for a few recent comedies. The acting was aweful, though.
  9. ElaineJ.
    Oct 27, 2004
    9
    I enjoyed this movie, very much.
  10. EricS.
    Oct 31, 2004
    6
    Did not hate it but did not enjoy it much either..wanted to walk out at beginning , but became a decent movie almost half way through.
  11. Fantasy
    Dec 2, 2004
    0
    Was this supposed to be a comedy? Not!
  12. MichaelM.
    Oct 22, 2004
    3
    It was hard to estimate how good/bad "Surviving Christmas" would be. On one hand one of my least favorite actors of all time was in it: Ben Aflleck. On the other hand one of my favorite actors of all time was in it: James Gandolfini (HBO's smash hit The Sopranos). I was hoping maybe, just maybe, James Gandolfini could save this early Holiday flick from the dreadfully poor acting skills of Ben "the butt chin" Affleck. I was wrong. I went to go see the movie with my father, who summed it up perfectly, "It was an awful movie, but there were some funny freakin' parts!" Well, that's pretty much what "Surviving Christmas" is. The first half of the film tries to get laughs with tired slapstick, but fails miserably - except for when James Gandolfini smacks Affleck over the head with a shovel. That was hysterical! It was priceless to see Tony Soprano knock Ben Lo into unconsiousness. Besides that and the side-splittingly funny ending scene involving incest, interent porn and much more disturbing elements, the film just isn't anything close to witty. The plot is absolutley terrible, and that's an understatement. Wait for HBO on this one, it's not worth your time or money in the theater or at the videostore. Well, at least it was better than "Taxi".… Expand
  13. DW
    Dec 28, 2004
    9
    Off-beat, but that must be my type of humor because this movie evoked plenty of laughter.
  14. brians
    Oct 24, 2004
    2
    I really wanted to walk out on this one, but I thought it couldn't get worse. it did get better, but only because of retread christmas schlock. No need to wait until the DVD comes out---it will be on Mystery Science Theater 3000 soon.
  15. DethS.
    Dec 24, 2004
    0
    When a movie takes less than 2 months to be put out on DVD, you know you've got a problem.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
19 out of 100

Overwhelming dislike - based on 29 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 22 out of 29
  1. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jessica Winter
    0
    This ghastly comedy emits the subliminal whine of a sucking chest wound.
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  2. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Gregory Weinkauf
    20
    Wrenches paltry giggles and cheap warmth from a screenplay that makes "Son in Law" seem like Sam Shepard. But wretched Affleck is the real liability.
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  3. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    10
    It's screen comedy at the end of its tether, Capra-corn gone rancid.
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