Brad (Vince Vaughn) is madly in love with Kate (Reese Witherspoon) because while they’re committed, they’re still very single and living together with no attachments. They’re simply care-free and happy because Brad’s motto is you “can’t say the word ‘families’ without saying ‘lies.’” They even blow off relatives by booking a trip to Bali for Christmas. That is until they get nailed at the airport by a newscaster who interviews them about ‘fogged in conditions’ when they’re flight in cancelled. Next thing they know, their parents – all four of them – divorced with new lives, expect them to make an appearance at each of their homes. The first stop is Brad’s trailer trash father’s house (Robert Duvall) an example of the emotional struggle of family. Brad is in conflict from the embarrassment of who he used to be vs. who he has become – something we all struggle with at holiday time. Next stop is Kate’s mother’s house (Mary Steenburgen) a religious fanatic. After that it’s Brad’s mother (Sissy Spacek) a laid back woman who’s now dating his best friend from high school. Finally they end up at the sanest house, her father (Jon Voight) who seems to be able to put family into perspective. The true plot isn’t all the silly relatives, but the idea of putting each other to the test of family in order to appreciate your partner more. Reese does a great job of holding her own, against the sarcastic, witty and adrenaline-driven Vince Vaughn. Two and a half tiaras
