Do not be put off by the initial worry that the structure seems to follow that of the recent spate of weak Hollywood actor-celeb cross-generational ensemble holiday-themed movies (Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve) - Christmas With The Coopers is a big step up from those films. Yes, it has a cute dog as a ton of Christmas schmaltz (it is a Christmas movie after all!), but dig deeper and it is very thoughtfully-written in terms of dialogue, with some very strong on-screen pairings: Diane Keaton and John Goodman (at his most heartbreaking and funny) spar wonderfully, Seyfried raises her game to match Arkin, and a luminous Olivia Wilde works well with Jake Lacy. There are some delightfully-handled cutaways and quick flashback moments, and even though the third act (when the Coopers all come together) feels brief and simplified, the resolutions are necessarily heartwarming and feel-good for this superior festive film.
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