This was a refreshing holiday movie because it wasn't all clichéd and sappy. Its not even really all that Christmasy just a slice-of-life drama involving a Puerto Rican American family who happen to all get together at Christmas and then the siblings (amidst their own issues) discover that their parents are divorcing.There's a great cast involved here (Alfred Molina is the dad and Elizabeth Peña the Mother) and several fun story lines as we get to know all the adult children. I particularly enjoyed "Jesse" (Freddy Rodriguez) who has just returned home from serving overseas and John Leguizamo along with his executive "fishout of water" wife (Debra Messing). As old resentments are let go and bonds reaffirmed the family begins to heal. I think the hilarious reoccurring problems with the tree removal may have helped there. 12.23.13

Holiday movies usually put a smile on your face or tears in your eyes. I'm afraid that very little of this movie impressed me. It is worth your try to relate with it. The scattered members of the Rodriquez family make their way home to their parent's house in west Chicago. Not only to celebrate Christmas, but also to welcome the youngest brother home from the war. Like any other large family gathering for a holiday...old arguments resurface, plus new surprises stretch the bonds of the entire family. The trailer led me to believe I would double over laughing...I didn't. But that doesn't mean you won't have your heart warmed and end up with that 'fuzzy' feeling.Except for Debra Messing, there is a Latino all-star cast: John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez, Alfred Molina, Luis Guzman, Jay Hernandez and one of my favorites, Elizabeth Pena.

Now what can be so different about a family reunion holiday tape film.They are mostly WASP family & there have been many such films, WHAT is so different about this.It is an Hispanic (Puerto Rican) family.The large cast is made up of the Who's-Who of Hispanic actors. These are usually supporting players in other films. They ARE among others.Alfred Molina---- Elizabeth Pena---Luiz Guzman, Freddy Rodriquez---Jay Herrnandez---John Lequizano, Debra Messing. they all are first rate.The story line is more of a drama than a comedy, It is quite typical of many non-anglo stories which do not rely on comic hi-jinks or bawdy humor to get the meaning across.Thankfully it does not get tragic, just enough hints of what has happened before.The director was Alfredo DeVille, Alison Swan and Rick Najera wrote the screenplay.This takes place in the Humboldt Park are of Chicago at Christmas time.This is the type movie I could see this year as well.I was tempted to give this a higher rating even; It is that good.The movies does drag a bit & seems longer than it is,Ratings:*** (out of 4) 89 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)

(Synopsis) The whole Rodriguez family is rejoicing and celebrating the reunion of all of their family members coming together to be with their father, Edy Rodriguez (Alfred Molina), and their mother, Anna (Elizabeth Pena), in their Chicago home during Christmas. They have come from around the world, especially, their youngest son, Jesse (Freddy Rodriguez), who has just returned from Iraq after being wounded. Jesse's older sister, Roxanna (Vanessa Ferlito), is a struggling actress who flew in from Los Angeles. The oldest son, Mauricio (John Leguizamo), is a successful attorney married to Sarah (Debra Messing), a hedge fund manager who drove in from Manhattan. The children are surprised when their mother announces to them at the dinner table that she wants a divorce, and their father doesn't even put up a fight. The entire family is put into an uproar and begins to question their future.(My Comment) This story is a slice of ethnic life focusing on the Puerto Rican community in west Chicago's Humboldt Park district with a predominantly Latino cast. A large part of the movie was filmed inside the house with everybody joking around, arguing, and reconnecting with each other. The storyline is exactly like any family saga, but told with a different accent. The script is fairly predictable with no unexpected moments; you know exactly what is coming next. As in all families, when a real crisis happens, the whole family comes together. There are several scenes that tend to be contrived. Overall this Christmas movie is entertaining and can be enjoyed by all, and not only an ethnic audience. (Overture Films, Run Time 1:33, Rated PG-13)(6/10)