NUTCRACKERS (2024) - Movie Review

Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson, Arlo Janson, Toby Huss, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Writer: Leland Douglas
Runtime: 104 min
Rated: TV-14
Buy This Movie: Hulu, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

Just as Mike (Stiller) is on the heels of closing the biggest deal of his career, he’s pulled away from his bachelor life in the big city to a farm in rural Ohio in order to help his recently orphaned nephews find a new home.

Review:

After dabbling in the realm of horror reboots with one "The Exorcist" and three "Halloween" movies, filmmaker David Gordon Green is returning to his indie/arthouse roots with the bittersweet dramedy "Nutcrackers". Set around Christmas time, the movie tells the story of Michael Maxwell (Ben Stiller), an uptight, workaholic real estate developer whose comfortable Chicago life is turned upside down following the death of his sister and her husband. Forced to travel to a remote farmhouse in Ohio to take care of his four rambunctious orphaned nephews, Michael reluctantly accepts his role as a surrogate father and develops a deeper bond with the young diamonds in the rough.

The most important thing you need to know is that this is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, and that it leans more towards drama. Also, while billed as a Christmas movie, it doesn't adhere to any traditional holiday formula. But don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing. David Gordon Green goes for an authentic style that recalls the gritty filmmaking style of the 1970s. Maybe a little emotionally distant at times, but I enjoyed watching a family drama with little in the way of emotional manipulation, which helps it achieve a genuinely sincere heartwrming conclusion. It's not a groundbreaking story, in fact it's pretty familiar dramatic territory, but Green's realistic approach helps it stand out.

Stiller is great in a thoughtful role that requires more dramatic finesse than zany energy. He also does some of his usual comedy routines, but at a much more restrained level, which I appreciated greatly. This is Stiller's first acting role in seven years, and a welcome change of pace for the actor. The versatile Linda Cardellini turns in an endearing supporting performance as a social worker who helps Stiller's character figure out the complexities of child-raising. It's a small but important part that adds a lot of warmth and depth. The four boys are played by real-life brothers, which adds an interesting dynamic to the characters, and the film was actually shot at their family farm in Ohio. They are also trained ballet dancers, which comes in handy because ballet turns out to be an important plot point in the movie.

Against all expectations, I liked "Nutcrackers" quite a bit. It's not a perfect film, and never quite achieves greatness, but I found it a simple and engrossing experience that earns its sentiment thanks to thoughtful filmmaking and a great cast. It might not be for everyone, but I'd say it's worth a watch.

SCORE: 7/10