62
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenMr. Burns shuffles this dense material with the dexterity of a card shark. The pace, although swift, is never rushed. The writing and acting give you vivid enough tastes of the characters - there are seven children, two parents, and assorted spouses, lovers and friends - so that each registers as a singular flavor.
- 75Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversAs an actor, Burns has worked the Hollywood game from "Saving Private Ryan" to "Alex Cross." But his core passion is for making indie movies without studio interference, guerilla style. Because he takes his films personally, so do we. The Fitzgerald Family Christmas is one of his best.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThis tale of a dysfunctional family whose members experience enough personal crises to fuel a dozen films is a virtual compendium of clichés, but the star's sheer likeability makes it go down as easily as a cup of eggnog.
- 60New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanBurns has assembled such a fine cast that we leave feeling satisfied, as if we didn't get the iPad mini we wanted, but a pretty good novel instead.
- 50TimeMary PolsTimeMary PolsSuspense isn't Burns' thing though, and it may be foolish to even ask for it this far into his career. Burns has made it crystal clear what his style is: lots of chatty, mostly amiable folks, working out their not so troubling differences in the greater New York metropolitan area.
- 50New York PostSara StewartNew York PostSara StewartToo much of the film is taken up by creaky plot devices and one sibling vowing to track down and talk to another one to resolve a problem.
- 40Time OutTime OutThere are a few nicely turned moments... but they're scattered plums in a starchy, flavorless pudding.
- 38Slant MagazineSlant MagazineEdward Burns certainly doles out his fair share of family turmoil, but he admirably doesn't make lunatics out of his characters.