Christmas with the Kranks starts out with a an interesting premise (the empty-nest Christmas problem) and quickly runs downhill into the A Christmas Carol plot. On balance, it's not a bad film, but it's not a good film. If you're looking for a film with a nice happy ending and some cute sight gags, it might be worth renting next year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, to get yourself into the mood.

Produced by Chris Columbus (and therefore set in the Chicago suburbs) and staring Tim Allen and Jamie-Lee Curtis, the story centers around a couple that are spending their first Christmas without their only daughter (gone off to the Peace Corps).

An idea to get away ensues and there are enough jokes to keep people in their seats and not-to-antsy.