Blended Christmas (2024): Review | The Ex Gets Invited To Christmas

• Movie Contains: Drinking

Review

Our Rating (79/100): Mixed (Divisive)

While you have to appreciate how Nicole’s character is handled and the chemistry between the leads, “Blended Christmas” feels incomplete thanks to its ending and how it handles Lillian as a character.

Audience

Those who like Christmas comedies that include an element of trying to make blended families work despite the insecurities they can cause when new.

Highlights

Nicole Isn’t Made Into A Black and White Antagonist

Considering the circumstances we meet Nicole and her initial attitude, it is easy to imagine that she would be a major problem. However, Lillian pushes for April and the audience to understand that this phase of Nicole’s life is challenging. Yes, she and Michael, after 6 years, called it quits, but it isn’t specifically noted what was the last straw or if she wanted the divorce – just that Michael was unhappy and ended it.

So with that, you understand why that can hurt, with her seeing Michael move on, the kids into April, and Nicole feeling like a guest in her own family. Never mind, even though it isn’t explicitly noted, there is the need to question if she has ever known a guy of the same caliber as Michael. I mean, as made clear, while Nicole sees herself as a baddie, she got with Michael when he and April broke up or went on a break, and she decided to shoot her shot rather than hope he would approach her.

To me, knowing people like Nicole, that is notable and shows she saw a good man. Now, again, why couldn’t she keep him isn’t given an explicit detail, though she might drink a tad too much. But, considering they were married six years, had two kids, and who knows how long they were dating before marriage, again, you can get a sense she has a right to her feelings, which include regret. So, while a snide comment here and there is unnecessary, having your ex and new thing canoodling in your face would make you a bit sour, too, wouldn’t it? Especially considering the shared history between the three.

Michael and April Make A Cute Couple

While you may feel for Nicole, you rarely see April with Michael and question why they dated before Nicole and after. You may question why they went on a break or broke up, but otherwise, April comes off as someone you’d want to marry. While she did raise an eyebrow going from praying to wanting to make sure she got her honeymoon, damn Nicole, and get a quick fix to find someone to watch the kids, as that attitude mellowed out, you saw she was a good woman.

Never mind, when Michael is talking to his son about why he and his mom aren’t together, he gives us the words which helps illuminate the actions. You see how quick of a rise Nicole gets out of Michael, while Michael can be playful and happy with April. This isn’t to say April is perfect and doesn’t show insecurities or get on Michael’s nerves, but you see between his willingness to work with her, be with her, and see her beyond traits some may not see as attractive; she is easy to love for him.

On The Fence

Lillian’s Presence Didn’t Affect Us As Much As Expected

I’m often a sucker for characters like Lillian, but something just didn’t click. I won’t ruin who the character is, though it is revealed early on, but I just didn’t shed the tears I expected and sometimes felt they could have taken things further to make Lillian and April’s relationship more impactful.

An Odd Ending

When it comes to “Blended Christmas,” if you are the type to check how much time is left or constantly pause, you may find yourself questioning how much time has passed and being surprised when you are near the end with how things end. There is just a fade-to-black type of ending that doesn’t make you feel everything has been resolved, and when it comes to the Lillian situation, it could make you feel that things for April clicked too late, and she missed having her moment.

This ultimately doesn’t leave you with a bad ending, but it does present the idea that a “Blended Christmas 2” wouldn’t be the worst thing to explore this family more, never mind Nicole moving on.

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