After seeing the trailers for “Almost Christmas”, I was very excited about this new movie. To myself, it reminded me of an updated version of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, which is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.

The movie involves a family coming together for Christmas for the first time since the matriarch of the family passed away. Some of the siblings don’t get along and they all haven’t seen each other in a while. And to top it all off, you have a father who just wants everything to be how it was in previous years before his wife’s passing.

“Almost Christmas” takes into account how grief over the death of a loved one can affect everyone in their own way. During the whole film, each character remembers important moments in which their mom and wife touched their lives.

Not only does the movie have an excellent storyline, it also has an excellent cast.

Mo’Nique’s comedic side shines through as she plays Aunt May. The audience is left on their toes, never knowing what she will say next. Every remark is made in perfect time and is relatable with any family coming together for Christmas.

Danny Glover, who plays Walter Meyer, the patriarch of the family, is very relatable to any person who has lost their spouse. He’s your typical dad who just hopes everything is going to work out.

The cast feels like they are an actual family, and that they have known each other their whole lives. They are very relatable and make you feel like you are in the house with them.

I recommend this film to anyone. With the wide variety of character personality that the film provides, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter your age.

“Almost Christmas” has such a comedic side that you’ll be laughing nonstop. However, it is also heartwarming and will have you crying before the movie ends.

Overall, I would recommend the movie to anybody who is looking for a great way to spend their afternoon or evening. It definitely is worth it and will have you talking about it for the next week.