Just a quick word about Christmas with the Coopers, which I ended up watching on telly on Sunday evening. Quite star-studded, it's a quirky story of a large family gathering for Christmas; Alan Arkin is grandad, with two daughters, Diane Keaton and Marisa Tomei. Diane is married to John Goodman - she runs the perfect household, and throws an elaborate Christmas, but the magic has gone from her marriage. However, Marisa - still single - always feels inadequate in comparison. Amanda Seyfried works in the cafe that Alan frequents, but feels restless. And Steve Martin translates for us the thoughts of the philosophical family dog.
Ok, it's pretty standard Christmas fare. A massive house hosts a massive family, all the stops are pulled out - it's a huge undertaking. It's one of the better I've seen, though - not at all schmaltzy, and with plenty of uncomfortable and unusual relationships. Very watchable, with some dead cute scenes - a happy ending all around (spoiler!), and a very deadpan performance from the dog. Recommended! Believe me, if this is an option, you could do worse.. a lot worse..
I'm taking my Christmas holidays on Friday - and London Social Detours recently announced another talk for that day, in their British Heroes and Villains series. We get to vote at the end, apparently - whether for the greatest hero, or the greatest villain, I don't know.
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