As wonderful as Christmas Day can be, there’s a certain amount of stress that goes with the yuletide celebration – even for the most traditional family. However, Four Christmases emphasizes dysfunctional families and emotional reactions to the max. Brad’s (Vaughn) father, portrayed by Robert Duvall, revels in the playful violence displayed by his other two sons (Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw) and makes fun of everything about Brad. His mother (Sissy Spacek), a senior hippie, has taken a lover – Brad’s former

best friend.

Kate’s (Witherspoon) mother, played by Mary Steenburgen, dresses like a sex kitten and has a new boyfriend (Dwight Yoakum) who’s the pastor of a very spirited congregation.  Kate’s sister (Kristin Chenoweth) teases her about things in her past that Kate would rather not have revealed in front of Brad.  Her father (Jon Voight) also has a new girl friend – but he seems the most normal character depicted here.

At each house they visit, Brad and Kate end up creating some kind of catastrophe or finding out disturbing things about each other. Obviously, all they really want is to have fun together without being burdened with family responsibilities.  Will these four disastrous Christmas visits change their minds? Will they still be in love after discovering secrets from the past?

Despite -- or maybe because of -- their flaws, Brad and Kate are fun to watch, mostly because of the humorous way Vaughn and Witherspoon play off each other. The difference in their size helps, but Vaughn’s trademark rambling delivery and Witherspoon’s fascinating facial expressions make their interactions quite  entertaining to watch. They’re at their best in a very funny (albeit  sacrilegious to some viewers) Nativity scene.   

It’s too bad this film’s crude dialogue prevents me from recommending it without reservation. Please don’t think Four Christmases is a movie for the entire family. For example, anyone who still believes in Santa Claus will need to be comforted after seeing it, and the use of derogatory language about women is most offensive.

Still, fans of Vaughn and Witherspoon have a treat in store for them with Four Christmases. And, if you look closely, there’s a glimpse of Ralphie -- all grown up now -- from A Christmas Story, the best family holiday comedy of all time. 

(Released by New Line Cinema and rated “PG-13” for some sexual humor and language.)

Review also posted at ReelTalk Movie Reviews.