We expected to like this because Edward Burns made it. But we weren't moved by the story of 7 adult siblings and their divorced parents and predicted almost every outcome. Burns (The Brothers McMullen (1995), She's the One (1996), more) directs, writes, and stars in what he doubtless hoped would be as popular as McMullen, bringing in two of the same cast members, Connie Britton (McMullen was her screen debut, since then she's known for Spin City, Friday Night Lights on big and small screens, and the new series Nashville--I've seen maybe 5% of all that) and Mike McGlone (also She's the One and some other things), to join Kerry Bishé (Argo), Heather Burns (no relation--Zach Galifianakis' girlfriend in Bored to Death), Caitlin Fitzgerald (Damsels in Distress), Anita Gillette (small part in She's the One and lots more) and Ed Lauter (one of the Scouts in Trouble with the Curve, many other small parts) as the parents, and others.
Everyone's family has drama at the holidays. Burns knows from big working class Irish-American families. Too bad this didn't bring anything new when we saw it a week and a half ago. Rottentomatoes' critics give it 64%, audiences 45. Wait for cable and play words with friends while it's on.
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