The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012)

One of the worst movies I've ever seen

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

This story had great potential, but was butchered in the way in which it was told. A father coming home for Christmas could make a great, feel-good movie, but it should be the story of the family's amazing reunion, not the story about a family's fight about whether or not he should be allowed at Christmas dinner. Maybe choose ONE character or couple to follow more closely instead of splitting it up into 7 different mini-stories, each which should have its own movie all its own. You have the central character(s) and supporting roles. This was just CHAOS; most of the kids had their own separate story lines, and none of them had complete, satisfying closure. What happened with Connie and the baby? Where's the justice for her husband? What about Gerry and Nora? Did they make it to their happily ever after? In the beginning of the movie, all of the siblings, save Gerry, let on that they did not like or have much respect for their mother, grasping at straws to find any excuse to avoid spending her birthday with her. The reason, one sister said, was that Gerry didn't know how their mom was to the rest of them....which provided no actual explanation, and gave the appearance that very little thought was given into the movie's back story. I felt it was a weak movie with a lot of vague, suggestive lines leading you to assume (or guess at) things that have happened. Isn't the purpose of a movie to SHOW you things instead of TELL you things? Mainly, I saw a bunch of people going back and forth to each others' houses, arguing about whether or not Dad deserved to come to Christmas. The transitions were awful and there was no rhyme or reason to why they were at one place or another; it just felt like they were changing settings just to change settings. Another thing: where was the grand apology? Where was the sweeping her (and the family) off their feet and MAKING them believe that he was truly sorry? A movie like that is supposed to make you feel GOOD about the ending. This just made me feel like the mom was grudgingly allowing him into her house, the kids had a sudden change of heart, but no real apology, healing or growing was done as a family (or by any family member individually). That's what is supposed to happen at the end of a movie like this. Don't get me wrong, I love movies that don't end traditionally, but this movie made me FEEL nothing. I was severely disappointed.

The many talent's of Edward Burns as screenwriter, director and actor were abundantly evident in this film. Everything from the cast of characters, choice of location, simple but powerful lighting and suburb directing makes this a memorable "family relationship" Christmas classic.The script was written, and intended, as adult entertainment due to the use of language not appropriate for children. But, by doing that Mr. Burns was able to avoid the classic failure of your typical family Christmas film that often ends up as either "sugar mush" or absurd comedy. You know the ones I referring to, they're often found on the Hallmark Chanel at Christmas time.I take my hat off to Edward Burns this film "The Fitzgerald family Christmas" is among my favorite Holiday movies of all times along with the "Christmas Story" and "It's a wonderful Life" All three rate 10 out of 10.

This movie is a gem, and the Metacritic and IMDb scores are reflective of the quality of this movie. Ed Burns managed to weave multiple story lines of 7 different children of an Irish family, and succeeds masterfully.It's a movie that has a lot of heart, and you can feel the love between the siblings despite the chaos in each of their lives individually. But the main plot of the movie is about all 7 children and mom working with their feeling regarding their father who left the family 20 years ago. Each has their own reason to not forgive their dad, and it slowly and wonderfully plays out, until the final scene.Excellent, adult themed, Christmas movie. It is so sad that so few people have seen it. I guarantee, unless your heart is made of ice, you will be moved by this movie.

Loved this movie! Having grown up Irish on Long Island, in a broken family, I can vouch for its authenticity. From the kitschy plastic Christmas decorations on the front lawn to the tough slang of the brothers, it's L.I. all the way.In the movie, the father left the family 20 years ago, and now comes back and expects to spend Christmas with his"family" again--his ex-wife and seven children--even though many want nothing to do with him.The film has a great natural flow, and it's charming throughout. It was great to see Ed Burns again and he's picked a great ensemble for his movie. I haven't seen many of his movies but plan to catch up.