‘Christmas Eve In Miller’s Point’ Review – Dreamy Holiday Memory Conjures Familial Warmth

Christmas time is here, and the onslaught of new films commemorating the holiday has begun. I’m certain your Netflix home screens are filled with their versions of Hallmark Christmas movies, or you may have been among the proud few who checked out Red One on its opening weekend. With so many classics filling out the holiday rotation, we only have so much room to fit new festive releases. Perhaps the strongest film to come in this particular season is Tyler Taormina’s Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point. 

The film follows a large family on their annual Christmas Eve gathering, displaying the differences between generations and various segments of the family. The cast is largely unknown but features performances from young up-and-comers Francesca Scorsese, Matilda Fleming, and Elsie Fisher, and appearances from Gregg Turkington and Michael Cera.

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is the absolute definition of a vibe film, with the plot playing out in small vignettes rather than a sweeping, overarching story. We get glimpses into the lives of the Balsano family, but this isn’t exactly a character-driven drama. It transcends the need for a more classical narrative structure in the way it evokes an incredibly singular feeling. Not everyone has a large family to come home to for the holidays, but, if you do, this film will definitely hit home. These snippets of different pockets of characters are expertly woven together with sharp editing and dreamy colors, feeling more like a memory than something happening in the present. There’s a haziness that lingers throughout the film that brings this dreamlike memory quality that almost makes you feel like you were there with the family in a past life. 

Many of the characters feel archetypal for families. You’ve got the core family unit that stayed behind to care for the aging matriarch. The widower uncle who gets emotional every year. The screw-up cousin who is just starting to turn their life around. The rebellious teenagers looking for any opportunity to skip out on the family-friendly activities to see their friends. All of our families have their different quirks and lore, but at the core, a lot of families look pretty darn similar to the Balsanos. 

While the storytelling style is somewhat unconventional, don’t mistake this for an inaccessible experimental film with a sprinkle of “Jingle Bells” tossed in. It’s giving us a peek into small-town America, into the experience of the holiday season. The family’s traditions are also engrained in the town’s, with everyone coming together for a small parade put on by the fire department as they speed through the neighborhoods in bright Christmas lights. These small-town sensibilities bring feelings of unity and joy throughout the whole community. 

One of the drawbacks of the film’s structure is most of the actors don’t have a lot to do, with no big scene or monologue being the focal point of the film. There’s no major drama or tension between family members, just little moments found throughout that get across specific relationship dynamics as efficiently as possible. I understand this is how the film is meant to work, but it would have been exciting to see some of the bright young actors get a scene or two to really sink their teeth into. 

The lack of dialogue and meaningful moments is admittedly a major letdown, but it’s not all to the film’s detriment. Isn’t that how a lot of families are, especially at these large gatherings? Not every Christmas Eve dinner needs to end with some big fight amongst brothers or major life changes. We show up, put a smile on our face, and pick at each other playfully and just try to get through uncomfortable moments with the people we don’t necessarily click with. 

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a dreamlike glimpse into the lives of small-town folks celebrating the holidays together. That is, at least, what it appears as on the surface. If you begin to peel back the layers a bit, you find the warmth and care of a home-cooked meal, memories of sneaking out to be with friends, playing video games in the basement with cousins. There’s an intense relatability found in this film, and Tyler Taormina has tapped into the collective memory bank of generations of people who grew up in America in a way I’ve never seen before. Be sure to add this to the holiday movie rotation this year and for years to come.

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of IFC Films. The film will be available on VOD on December 6, 2024.