‘The Nutcracker’ review: Ben Stiller’s holiday film has heart but doesn’t quite hit the mark

“The Nutcracker” on Hulu has the necessary elements of a heartwarming classic: a self-centered caretaker, mischievous but grieving orphans and a pinch of holiday magic. The plot revolves around Mike Maxwell (played by Ben Stiller), who has to take a sudden break from his hectic professional life after the death of his sister and he has to move to Ohio to take care of his four boys until that they be placed in foster families. House.

The story is not something we have never heard or seen before. Plus, we knew how these movies usually end. Still, it’s something to watch them snuggled up in a blanket on a snowy winter day, with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

“The Nutcracker” could use a little more fun and emotion

An image from “The Nutcracker” (Hulu)

When you can’t bring out a movie with a unique plot, you need to work on its execution. A few minutes into “The Nutcracker” instantly reminded me of the 2019 John Cena film “Playing With Fire.” Both films share a similar plot: a man, who has a big promotion/contract ahead of him, finds himself stuck with mischievous orphans.

“The Nutcracker” attempted a family vacation story, but stumbled before it could even live up to it. The film struggles to bring the plot together into a wholesome, emotional story. We see Mike switch between exasperation and sincere vulnerability, particularly in the quieter scenes where he reflects on his late sister. However, the storyline doesn’t push it far enough.

There are plenty of opportunities to provide touching moments, but they all end up seeming too few and far between. One such example is when the boys ask Mike to tell a story before going to bed. He refuses at first but eventually accepts. The scene was both funny and moving, but it could have used more of both. Even children’s crumbs don’t tickle anything.

‘The Nutcracker’ Lacks Refined Character Arcs

Ben Stiller in “The Nutcracker” (Hulu)

Stiller brings years of experience and delivers a solid performance. But we want more from his character. The transition from him not caring about the kids to him finally having a big realization didn’t shine enough.

Justice, Simon, Steve Jr and Samuel – played by the real-life Janson brothers – share real chemistry. Justice, played by Homer Janson, stands out with a performance that balances adolescent angst and mature responsibility in the wild and untamed atmosphere of the house. While there is more depth to his character, the other boys are relegated to mere background noise, making their arcs thin. The film also stars Linda Cardellini but her character is underused.

It seems David Gordon Green tried to play it safe by relying on clichés rather than delving deep into the emotional heart of the story. Unfortunately, we get an unforgettable film. The problem is not the predictable climax, but the inability to elicit enough emotion or laughter.

‘The Nutcracker’ is streaming on Hulu starting Friday, November 29