DECK THE HALLS

US, 2006, US, 2006, 93 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Broderick, Danny De Vito, Kristin Chenoweth, Kristin Davis, Alia Shawkat, Jackie Burroughs, Kal Penn.
Directed by John Whitesell.

A title from the familiar Christmas carol:

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

This corny Christmas offering has lots of Fa la la la la.

I am not sure whether American slang uses ‘deck’ as a word to describe hitting someone really hard. If it does, then that is what dentist, Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) wants to do for most of the film to his new, exasperating neighbour Buddy Hall, (Danny de Vito), a car salesman. Amongst other things Buddy wants to do is to make sure his house can be seen by satellite from space so, instead of boughs of holly on his halls and walls, he sets up the most elaborate system of lights and decorations (using the Finch electricity). It is not the season to be jolly!

This is one of those comedies where the two main characters spend most of the time being cantankerous towards each other while their sympathetic wives are friends. Even the children get along. But, you know that all will be well in the end in the spirit of Christmas.

With the main emphasis on the decorations side of Christmas, it is at least better than the all time low of American Christmas spirit (Frosty the Snowman the focus of celebrations) in Christmas with the Kranks.

1. A Christmas story? Christmas comedy? The touches of meanness and rivalry? Final goodwill?

2. The title, the song, the meaning of “deck” as hitting – and the family next door as the Halls?

3. Locations, the town, homes, the ski race? Fireworks? The musical score?

4. The Finch family, optometrist, the plan for Christmas, wife and children, making their own cards, the traditions? The incoming presence of the neighbours?

5. The Halls, Buddy and Tia, the children? Moving in? Buddy stealing the newspaper and the clash with Steve?

6. The next generation, visiting, all becoming friends?

7. My Earth, the Hall house not being visible from space? Buddy being upset? His remedy, the lights, the electricity source, getting the sleigh with the horse?

8. Sleigh, Steve and his pictures, Carter getting into the sleigh, the rush through the town, into the water, freezing, the two men naked – and Buddy offering body warmth?

9. Clashes, meanness of spirit, the lights, the snow, the electricity backup?

10. The ski race, the bets, Buddy winning, Steve angry, having to buy the car? The fireworks, the rocket, the Finch house on fire, the family going to the motel?

11. Concessions all round, rebuilding, everybody’s phone offering light to the house, finding the plug, everything bright and happy Christmas ending?