Four Christmases

Four Christmases is currently streaming in the UK on HBO Max Amazon Channel and Now TV Cinema, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 1,262 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Vince Vaughn sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Available now on HBO Max Amazon Channel — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Four Christmases keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Four Christmases land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Brad and Kate have made something of an art form out of avoiding their families during the holidays, but this year their foolproof plan is about go bust -- big time. Stuck at the city airport after all departing flights are canceled, the couple is embarrassed to see their ruse exposed to the world by an overzealous television reporter. Now, Brad and Kate are left with precious little choice other than to swallow their pride and suffer the rounds. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2008. What keeps Four Christmases from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Four Christmases is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Vince Vaughn's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.