It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I do like dark/bleak comedies, but this just takes too long and does not have enough to tell. Don't get it twisted, this is not a family picture nor your typical Christmas movie, which I all knew going in and you should too. The story does not just happen to be around Christmas time though, it's supposed to be that way, to show us what happens behind close doors and the other side of Christmas (see also Neighbors and their "way" of celebrating).The humor is not lost to me, but the message is not sufficient enough to warrant the running time. There are a lot of long pauses that are supposed to enhance the "message", but only succeed in stopping the movie in its tracks. The performances are good enough, but the characters do not have much to say other than the central message. A few nice set pieces (see Neighbors) are not enough to help elevate this. There are worse movies, but this misses out on a couple of things too

This movie is jast all wrong. It has an ongoing countdown to Christmas day but we don't even get to see what happens on Christmas day! In fact we don't get to see what happens with other important factors in the film. The turning point of the story. The death; has no resolution! They know who done it early on in the movie but at the end of the movie it's said there are no leads! Also the moments that are intended to be shocking or surprising are obvious taking away the excitement from them. And her behavior which I assume is supposed to be the most intriguing part of the movie is quite understandable.This said, the main character's acting is impressive and likable. And after about an hour I was drawn to her and the story. But it just seems so badly thought out. Thrown together without being fully thought out. There are so many pointless parts of the movie. Really. The most pointless to me is the two times we watch her sit on the toilet! really. Yuk. All in all it did intrigue me enough to disappoint me so it's not all bad but I just wish someone had corrected this story before it was released.

Jeff and Suzanne seem to be happy living in Virginia near Christmas time. Jeff has a new job starting in January, and they enjoy each other's company deeply. Suzanne comes home one day before Christmas to find Jeff on the floor with his head bashed in.The police investigation seems rather light and inept at the beginning. Things pick up a bit after Suzanne starts combing through the files and web addresses on Jeff's computer.Suzanne decides to meet some of the girls that Jeff knew. Fantasia is one of the dancers. Suzanne starts into shoplifting, as well as cocaine use. Neither of these serves her well. Her old set of friends prove to be less normal afterward. Eventually, though, she starts to get information about Jeff's secret life: lap dances, cocaine use, and his other love interests.Her excursion into getting to know the neighbors is not too damaging. Then again, it was not beneficial for Suzanne.Does Suzanne connect the dots? Does she seek help with the police? Will she survive the neighbors, or her Internet Christmas-sadness buying spree? -----Scores-----Cinematography: 5/10 From overexposure to underexposure to faux blondes to terrible makeup, the sets and lighting were poor.Sound: 7/10 The actors were miked OK. The incidental music was crappy, but then again, that's pretty much what the story was about: crappy situations.Acting: 4/10 I almost liked the performance of Anna Margaret Hollyman, but not any of the many others.Screenplay: 4/10 There was nothing funny about this film. It should not be billed as a comedy.

I have given a spoiler alert as a safety measure because just about anything about the story in this movie will be a kind of spoiler.First of all, although this is listed as a comedy, it is not. It is a drama, thoughtful and measured and at times sad, with a few funny moments.At the heart of the movie is Anna Margaret Hollyman as Suzanne Barrington, a woman living a low key but happy life, and whose life is completely turned around by a terrible event a month from Christmas. Hollyman is amazing in this role as she barely reacts to all manner of strange situations and actually delivers a great deal in the process. I thought she was absolutely sensational, and I will definitely be seeking out her other movies.All the cast is good, the story - while maybe a bit improbable - is engrossing and the whole production punches well above it's indie weight.Zack Clark has written and directed a great "little" movie here, and I hope he continues in the same vein. And watch out for Anna Margaret Hollyman, she has massive star potential.