Christmas in the Clouds

 3/4

Starring: Tim Vahle, Mariana Tosca, Sam Vlahos, M. Emmet Walsh, Graham Greene, Sheila Tousey, Rosalind Ayres

Rated PG for Mild Sexual Content and Some Language

By most standards, "Christmas in the Clouds" isn't a very good movie.  But what it lacks in technical prowess and other areas (notably acting and pacing), it makes up for with enthusiasm.  The characters are likable, the tone is light and frothy, and it's virtually guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

The film takes place at a tribal ski resort.  Since it's pure farce, it's best only to explain the set-up.  Ray Clouds on Fire (Vahle) is the overworked general manager who is obsessed with getting a good rating from a travel guide that is sending a critic in the next couple of days.  He and everyone else thinks that the critic is Tina Littlehawk (Tosca), but in reality the critic is a grumpy old drunk named Stu (Walsh).  Tina has her own reasons for coming though, since she's there to covertly meet her pen pal, whom she believes to be Ray, but is in fact Ray's father Joe (Vlahos).  There are other assorted zany characters running around, namely Earl the chef (Greene), who is a devout vegan and will go to any lengths to get the customers to stop eating meat.

"Christmas in the Clouds" is pure farce.  Much of the film's comedy relies on mistaken identities, weird obsessions and people who are constantly saying the wrong thing for reasons that make sense only to them.  Unfortunately the film is too laid back for this to pay off as well as it should.  I get that writer/director Kate Montgomery wants to keep things low key, which is fair, but she goes too far.  A little more judicious editing would have raised the humor level and kept things from dragging (which happens from time to time).

Acting isn't one of the film's strong suits.  It feels more like a soap opera with a laugh track.  Tim Vahle is a good example.  While he clearly isn't the best thespian, he is charming and good looking, which is all that's really required for this role.  Mariana Tosca is enchanting with a dazzling smile.  More importantly, the two of them have great chemistry.  M. Emmet Walsh is his usual reliable self, although it's impossible to understand half of what he says.  Graham Greene is a riot as Earl.  He's funny in the same way as every other anti-PC hero: he's unapologetic about his goals and is ruthless in achieving them.

The film's low budget is constantly obvious.  The sound is at times distractingly loud, the camerawork is pedestrian, and so on.  Save for the opening shot of the mountains, I don't think the camera ever moved.  Some movies don't have the funds to overcome these problems and "Christmas in the Clouds" is one of them.  What's harder to excuse is the editing.  Timing is essential in a comedy, particularly if it is farce.  But Montgomery doesn't give the film the necessary for the film's comedy to truly pay off.  The tension isn't wound high enough.  What should gain energy and momentum feels feeble.

Still, there's something to be said for this movie.  It's entertaining and frothy.  Flawed as it may be, it's is fin.

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