Christmas with the Kranks
Released on Wed, November 24, 2004
'Christmas with the Kranks' centers around Luther and Nora Krank, a couple facing an empty nest for the first time. With their daughter Blair leaving home, the usual Christmas cheer feels significantly diminished. The holiday season looms before them, threatening to be a somber affair, rather than a joyful celebration. They are overwhelmed and don't know how to deal with their daughter leaving home.
Desperate to avoid the traditional Christmas rituals and the accompanying melancholy, Luther proposes a radical idea to Nora: escaping the holiday altogether. He suggests using the money they would typically spend on decorations, gifts, and a lavish Christmas party to instead embark on a relaxing cruise to the Caribbean. This proposal is more than just a change of scenery; it's a deliberate attempt to bypass the emotional weight of Christmas without their daughter.
However, their unconventional decision to forgo the holiday spirit doesn't sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors. The Kranks' street is renowned for its competitive and extravagant holiday displays, and their absence would disrupt the established traditions and potentially tarnish the neighborhood's reputation. The neighbors, particularly Vic Frohmeyer, begin a campaign to pressure the Kranks into participating, creating a comical and escalating conflict.
As the Kranks stand their ground, stubbornly refusing to succumb to the pressure, the neighborhood becomes increasingly agitated. The tension mounts as they face ridicule, ostracism, and even sabotage of their property. What started as a personal decision quickly transforms into a community-wide battle of wills, testing the boundaries of tradition and the true meaning of Christmas.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Blair calls home on Christmas Eve, announcing that she and her fiancé, Enrique, will be arriving for Christmas Day. This sudden change of plans throws the Kranks into a state of panic. They now have less than half a day to transform their house from a barren wasteland of holiday avoidance into a festive Christmas wonderland, and to put together the party they had so desperately wanted to skip.
Faced with the impossible task, the Kranks reluctantly reach out to their neighbors for help. To their surprise, the same community that had previously ostracized them rallies together, putting aside their grievances to create a Christmas miracle for the returning couple. The movie then shows the meaning of community and also shows how important family really is. This shows that despite the initial conflict, the true spirit of Christmas prevails, bringing the community together in a heartwarming and comedic conclusion.
Dan Aykroyd
as Vic Frohmeyer
M. Emmet Walsh
as Walt Scheel
Elizabeth Franz
as Bev Scheel
Erik Per Sullivan
as Spike Frohmeyer
Jake Busey
as Officer Treen