This Is Christmas (2017)

This Is Christmas Poster

Christmas is approaching, and best friends Harry, Jordan, Ben, and Dennis are at their annual get together before the holidays. As they share stories of their past year, it is clear they all still have a lot of growing to do. Jimmy struggles with an unhappy marriage and an ill-timed affair with his daughter's 17 year old babysitter. Meanwhile, his best friend Jordan splits from his partner, Steve, only to discover he may not be the biological father of their daughter. Harry struggles with an estranged relationship with his father and his ex-wife. But everything turns into total chaos when Ben loses custody of his son and decides kidnapping is the only way to save his family. Now these friends must come together and do the right thing, proving family and friendship is what is most important. With an all star ensemble cast, "This Is Christmas" is perfect for the holidays. -- from WowNow Entertainment

Title: This Is Christmas (2017)

Introduction

This Is Christmas is a 2017 independent drama movie directed by Richard Foster and produced by Alex Boyesen, Richard Foster, and Rupert Hollier. The movie focuses on the Hartley family, who are still reeling from the death of their father. As the family comes together to celebrate Christmas for the first time without him, they need to navigate the complexities of their relationships, handle unexpected difficulties and eventually discover healing for injuries old and new.

Plot
The film opens with a quick introduction to the Hartley household and instantly highlights the pressure between the brother or sisters and their mom, Ruth. Ruth is a strong-willed woman who is increasingly protective of her family, though her abrasive nature has actually triggered a share her kids.

The story is set throughout the lead-up to Christmas, as the Hartley family prepares to come together to commemorate. Ruth takes the responsibility of hosting the gathering but demands doing whatever by herself, even when it appears that she needs assistance. The brother or sisters, Lucy, William, and Tom, approach their mother's stubbornness in various ways, however eventually effort to apologize for the sake of the family's reunion.

This emotional turbulence is mirrored in the smaller sized subplots throughout the movie, such as Lucy's continuous battle with stress and anxiety and depression, William's struggle to reconnect with his separated sweetheart, and Tom's desire to welcome his sexuality despite Ruth's disapproval.

Throughout the movie, we witness the complications that arise when the family dynamics are tested. As the siblings become significantly conflicted with Ruth's actions and each other's shortcomings, long-buried tricks, concealed animosities, and regrets are brought to the surface.

Characters
The Hartley household is composed of the following primary characters:

- Ruth Hartley: The matriarch of the household who, in her effort to hold her family together, presses them further away.

- Lucy Hartley: The oldest of the brother or sisters, she is a single mom that struggles with her psychological health, all the while attempting to maintain her relationship with her mom and preserve a sense of stability for her kid.

- Tom Hartley: The youngest sibling and the one most affected by the loss of his dad, he is caught between asserting his identity as a gay guy and pleasing his standard and conservative mother.

- William Hartley(as known as Will): The middle child and the household's peacemaker, he struggles to balance his commitment to his mom and siblings while trying to fix a damaged relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

Styles
- Family and Relationships: This Is Christmas is primarily a study of the numerous relationships discovered within the Hartley household. It looks into the complexities and intricacies of brother or sister competition, parent-child relationships, and even romantic relationships.

- Grief and Loss: The death of the household patriarch is the driver that brings the family together and requires them to face their unresolved pain and sorrow. The characters find out to find solace and strength within each other as they accept their daddy's death and find out to navigate life without him.

- Mental Health and Personal Identity: Each of the primary characters faces their own internal struggles, be it Lucy's psychological health, Tom's sexuality, or Will's desire to be the glue that holds the family together. These identities and the reconciliation with them function as the undercurrent to the story.

Conclusion
This is Christmas is a heartfelt and real portrayal of a household's journey through grief and healing throughout the holiday season. Styles of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery are checked out through the special experiences of the Hartley relative. The motion picture successfully engages the audiences as we are purchased the characters' growth and end up being privy to the importance of finding solace in the face of adversity and the nurturing power of familial bonds.

Top Cast

  • David Moscow (small)
    David Moscow
    Harry
  • Corin Nemec (small)
    Corin Nemec
    Jordan
  • A. Russell Andrews (small)
    A. Russell Andrews
    Ben
  • Chris Mulkey (small)
    Chris Mulkey
    Dennis
  • Keesha Sharp (small)
    Keesha Sharp
  • Janina Gavankar (small)
    Janina Gavankar