Reviews
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Christmas movies this early in November should probably be illegal. A straight-to-streaming one at that? Surely that is a crime against humanity. Of course, I went into Netflix’s A Merry Little Ex-Mas expecting to be transformed into a real-life Ebenezer Scrooge, so imagine my surprise when, against all odds, I was actually impressed. Sure, it is cheesy, predictable, and just a little cringey, but I’d be damned if I did not want to curl up in front of a Christmas tree with hot chocolate and gingerbread. In short, A Merry Little Ex-Mas achieves exactly what it set out to do and does it with unexpectedly merry success.
Alicia Silverstone stars as Kate, a woman so in love that she moved to the wonderfully Christmas-themed town of Winterlight following her husband Everett (Oliver Hudson) some 25 years ago so he could become a doctor in the sleepy town. Fast forward to today: two kids later, her dreams of being an architect on hold, Kate has become the local handywoman, fixing anything and everything while encouraging the use of solar panels and other eco-friendly choices. The title is a giveaway. It is not exactly a happy story, with Kate and Everett putting the final touches on an amicable divorce. The townsfolk cannot understand the concept, especially when the term “conscious uncoupling” comes up. Apparently, no one is allowed to be happy about a divorce. If you are happy, you stay married; divorce is just for the miserable, right?
Kate is desperate for one more traditional Christmas before her youngest child goes to university, and she completes her secret move back to Boston. As expected, things do not go according to plan when she discovers that Everett is already dating someone else. Enter Tess (Jameela Jamil), a younger and much more successful woman who makes Everett seem like a better partner and father than he has been in years. In response, Kate accepts the advances of the inevitable handsome young bachelor, Chet (Pierson Fode), an adorable great listener who has all the qualities to make her jealousy plan a success.
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of A Merry Little Ex-Mas is that none of the partners are vilified. No one is portrayed as terrible, and there is genuine chemistry between the couples. Each character simply wants a chance at their own happily ever after. There are no antagonists to hate or root against. Just four people trying to find love in their own way, which allows for several very sweet scenes that make the relationships feel believable. And while the story may head towards a predictable ending, it is still extremely satisfying.
The script by Holly Hester is where the movie truly shines. All too often, straight-to-streaming Christmas films are painfully unwatchable. Unfunny dialogue and cringe-worthy sequences have resulted in some of the worst movies of the year. A Merry Little Ex-Mas, however, is charming and consistently funny. It is undoubtedly elevated by strong performances. Alicia Silverstone proves she still has an abundance of talent and can lead a film with ease. Jameela Jamil, as “the other woman,” is surprisingly excellent, playing the part convincingly while also presenting herself as a decent and relatable character. Both Oliver Hudson and Pierson Fode handle their roles admirably, neither being off-putting, which is a relief given how often this happens in cheesy rom-coms.
The supporting cast, including Emily Hall as the daughter and Wilder Hudson in his debut as the son, provide plenty of comedic quirks throughout, but it is their daughter’s new British boyfriend, Nigel (Timothy Innes), who really stands out. Of course, you cannot have a Christmas movie without some British charm, although I may be biased, as he delivers some of the most laugh-out-loud moments of the film. The endless Harry Potter references left me in stitches, although that is probably due to the cringe-inducing nature of his nerdiness during the last family Christmas and the fact that I was laughing at him more than with him. I can also imagine that for some viewers his character might be the weakest part of the movie.
I will admit, A Merry Little Ex-Mas doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to either rom-coms or Christmas films, often hitting the same tropes we have seen many times before. Still, it undeniably possesses some of that Christmas magic that you cannot help but enjoy. It’s infectious throughout and undoubtedly a very enjoyable experience that I would highly recommend. I must admit though, I’m still not entirely sold on the idea of Christmas movies this early.
