Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point should come with a trigger warning: May induce feelings of childhood déjà vu. Director Tyler Taormina stirs up the visceral feelings of the season in this enjoyably snarky and atmospheric family dramedy. Taormina’s storytelling is inspiring, from the old-fashioned visual aesthetics to the world-building he expertly details to the nth degree. If you’re looking for a future cult classic that’s more edgy than stuffy, you’ll love Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point.

A Celebration of the Holiday Spirit and Family Tradition

Prepare to get a rush of eggnog-soaked nostalgia in Taormina’s autobiographical portrait of a universal holiday tradition. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a lively and immersive story about a large Italian American family’s last holiday in their ancestral home. From the moment the film begins, it’s clear this isn’t your average Christmas movie. Embracing authenticity over polished performances, the dialogue between actors is nearly mumblecore in its delivery. Each role, while crucial to the story, is both conversational and light. The film embraces a home video-like quality that further accentuates its reliability and charm.

Watch the trailer for Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point here.

The majority of the film takes place during a traditional Christmas Eve party and this is where the film shines. Through expert production design (Paris Peterson) and artful cinematography (Carson Lund), long-repressed memories of my childhood spent at various parties were unlocked. You know the ones, where the food feels like it’s being cooked backward, the inebriated adults keep invading your personal space, and all the kids are bored. Everyone mixes and mingles with the sounds of holiday music and family gossip. As the party extends from evening to night, one of the teens sneaks out of the house to meet up with her friends. She bets that no one will notice she’s gone, given that the red wine has been flowing for hours.

Actors and Non-Actors Mix and Mingle in Tyler Taormina’s Dramedy

In addition to being a lighthearted comedy, Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is also a shining example of a dynamic ensemble film. While big names do stand out from the group, including Michael Cera and Elsie Fisher, every actor, professional or not, carries their weight. This further proves director Tyler Taormina’s ability to not only execute a vision but also enable his performers to carry out this specific tone of comedy.

Another interesting choice made by Taormina and his co-screenwriter Eric Berger, was the decision to forgo the traditional plot structure. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is less focused on conflict and resolution and more interested in creating a feeling. The ambiance is successfully prioritized over the story arc. Aiding in the storytelling is the music placement, which comprises smartly curated songs by music supervisors Ollie White and Tom Stanford. If a soundtrack is available, it will easily be on repeat throughout the remainder of the year.

Takeaway

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a genre-defying indie film worth championing. It may lose a little gusto when the party begins to die down, but the overall experience is a madcap wonderland. Making its premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is now playing in theaters.