TIFF’s opening night film, NUTCRACKERS, is a saccharine family holiday film that is full of tired clichés and predictable plot points. So much so, from the second the movie opened with Ben Stiller stepping out of his Porsche into unidentified animal poop, I knew we were in for it. Don’t get me wrong, the film is harmless enough, sitting dangerously in the threshold of not being terrible but also not being very good. And I think that is why I am so frustrated.
Directed by David Gordon Green, the film focuses on Chicago businessman Mike (Stiller), who travels to a farm in Ohio to provide temporary care for his four young nephews, following the death of their mother. Mike is in the middle of closing the biggest business deal of his life, but is forced to stay longer than planned after the boys’ social worker (Linda Cardellini) is unable to find a foster family. But as Mike begins to get more integrated into the boys’ lives and see past their long-haired rebellion, it becomes clear that this is less about finding the boys *any* home and more about finding them a perfect living situation. This includes one that will foster their independence, wild spirit, and their close brotherhood.
If that plot summary sounds familiar, it’s because it is. NUTCRACKERS isn’t bringing anything particularly new or exciting to the idea of someone returning home to deal with family issues. It is full of tropes and a plot I could have predicted from reading the summary of the film alone. I even saw elements that reminded me of films like THE SOUND OF MUSIC; though, instead of using pinecones to torture the adult in charge, the brothers used a guinea pig and baseballs.
While introducing the film, Stiller spoke about this being his favorite role to film throughout his entire career. And the film really did look like a blast to make. After a 7-year acting hiatus, it really is great to have Stiller back onscreen and in a comedic role. His relationship with the four real-life brothers seemingly mirrors that of his character. It is the beating heart of the film, constantly evolving and growing stronger, and is what everything else in the story revolves around.
NUTCRACKERS is certainly not a film you will revisit regularly (or probably remember soon after you watch it). But if you’re looking for a sweet film that you can put on to entertain a diverse group of people, especially around the holiday season, this may be the ticket.
My Review: C
