Review Fix Tribeca Film Festival Coverage: Merry XMas Review: Van Dyke’s Still Got ‘It’

Christmas in July is overrated. Christmas in April, thanks to Boman Modine’s Tribeca short, is the new “it” thing.

At a first glance, it seems to be a Christmas film just like any other. Elderly parents are at home, their children are busy driving somewhere or are overseas in Hong Kong. You know, too busy to spend time with the family.

However, the father (Dick Van Dyke) throws a curveball in the stereotypical situation when he decides it’s the perfect time to announce to his son Abe (Matthew Modine) that he is divorcing his mother after 55 years of marriage. After he hears the news, Abe almost loses control of his car. Surrounded by dinosaurs in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, he comically struggles to call his sister Sarah (Glenne Headly) that is in Hong Kong.

In the meantime, his father calmly mixes a drink in his mug, watches TV, and does anything, else people, his age do. Like almost an homage to the classic TV sitcoms Van Dyke was a mainstay on, he marvels as the deadpan dad with an alterior motive.

Soon enough, Abe’s sister Sarah gets the news. That’s when she feels compelled to talk to her father and clear up the situation. Instead, her father picks up and wishes her Happy Holidays. Sarah is completely astonished and believes that her father has lost his mind. She tries to convince him to not do anything until she and Abe come home.

After the phone call ends, the father calmly tells his wife (Valerie Harper) that the kids are coming home for Christmas.

Simply put, this film is hilarious and cutely rooted in classic comedic stylings. From the start, it seems father has something up his sleeve and it makes the whirlwind of emotions the other characters experience a lot more enjoyable. Though it is out of season, this short film is a nice reminder for everyone to make some time for their parents on the holidays.

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