“Best. Christmas. Ever!” Movie Review

“Best. Christmas. Ever!” is a holiday romantic comedy flick starring Jason Biggs, Heather Graham, Matt Cedeño and R&B singer-songwriter Brandy Norwood. Directed by Mary Lambert, the director of "Pet Sematary," the rom-com film follows two old friends who are brought together for Christmas by a twist of fate.

When Charlotte Sanders receives her old college friend’s Christmas newsletter showcasing her perfect life in the mail, Charlotte sarcastically states that she wishes she could spend Christmas with her old frenemy, Jackie Jennings.

When a twist of fate and a winter snowstorm forces Charlotte and her family to spend Christmas with Jackie, Charlotte sets out to prove that Jackie’s picture-perfect life is not as perfect as it seems.

Within the first 30 minutes of the holiday flick, Charlotte is awkwardly set up with Jackie’s karate-teacher husband and it’s revealed that Jackie and Rob (Charlotte’s husband) dated in college when they performed together in a band.

While these odd dynamics were supposed to set the scene for humorous tension within the household, no actual amusing moments occurred. However, the audience can catch a glimpse into Jackie and Rob’s college band life when the characters break out into song.

Jason Biggs and Brandy Norwood’s (who play Rob Sanders and Jackie Jennings, respectively) musical outbursts were very entertaining to watch and delightful to listen to. Additionally, the songs helped convey the feelings of the moment quickly to the audience.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to root for the main protagonist, Charlotte, throughout the film. Throughout the film, Charlotte is determined to prove that Jackie’s picture-perfect life is not, in fact, picture-perfect. Her unhealthy obsession drives her to break into private rooms, accidentally destroy things and search through files for evidence to prove her claim.

Additionally, Charlotte continually complains about her awful, imperfect life, but her life is relatively perfect. Her life is relatively normal and filled with joy. These dampening characteristics make it difficult for the audience to root for her.

Like their parents, the two couples’ children go through a journey of growth. When the 10-year-old Harvard prodigy, the boy with a stuffed monkey as a best friend and the girl who believes she has undiscovered superpowers thanks to Marvel find themselves celebrating Christmas together, they embark on a holiday side quest filled with mischief and scientific discoveries.

While all the photos throughout the house were hilariously photoshopped together, the sets themselves were beautifully decorated and thoroughly detailed. In addition, the delicate angel costume from the Nativity play that Jackie’s husband directed provides a hilarious moment towards the end of the film.

While “Best. Christmas. Ever!” did have some competent and heartfelt moments, Cinderella actress Brandy Norwood’s happy and jovial performance as Jackie was the film’s only redeeming feature.

Overall, “Best. Christmas. Ever!” is an unsatisfactory holiday rom-com whose saving grace is Brandy Norwood’s wonderful, jovial performance and her angelic singing.

Rating: 1/5

Sarah Taylor is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email smt6314@psu.edu.