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My Gay Christmas II

 Another staple of my Christmas is a re-re-re-viewing of one of the worst films ever made, "The Family Stone." I can't get enough of this one.


In "The Family Stone," everyone is upset because film icon Sara Jessica Parker clears her throat too much. She is about to marry into a particular family, but the throat-clearing is just a bridge too far. Also, she doesn't want to share a premarital bed with her fiance, and her bohemian in-laws-to-be respond by making fun of her. Finally, she doesn't know--or doesn't recall--that her "guy" has an allergy to mushrooms.

Because of her various missteps, SJP finds herself relentlessly bullied. Oscar winner Diane Keaton actually rolls her eyes at SJP--several times--although Diane Keaton is, by various indicators, an adult. Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams speaks to SJP in grunts. McAdams also has a tantrum when SJP seems to point toward a Black man--unconsciously--while trying to play charades (her little prompt card says, "The Bride Wore Black").

Instead of fleeing from these lunatics, SJP makes the odd choice of inviting her own sister to join the party. But her sister has one short conversation with a married man--I think they talk about totem poles--and then they instantly fall in love, and this causes a new problem for everyone. Also, SJP says something innocuous about gay people, and Diane Keaton becomes enraged and asks if SJP is morphing into Pat Buchanan.

All of this happens at Christmas.

I think this film is amazingly bad, and in recent years, I've looked forward to repeat viewings. I know I've seen it at least three times. I think the worst feature is a deaf-gay-angel-baby--Diane Keaton's youngest son--because I believe the writers meant this character to be a bold, progressive, literary flourish....and, instead, he is just a deaf-gay-angel-baby.

In terms of holiday films, I'm pretty sure this one is truly worse than "Love Actually"--and I invite you to agree or disagree.
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