OK it's mumblecore. You knew that before you hit the pay button. What did you expect? There is no script. It is actors improvising trying to be natural and create real drama out of pure inspiration. It's an interesting idea at least, especially for actors I imagine. You are not going to get bloody Shakespeare are you. But what you do get is a real sense of being present in the lives of the people involved. I feel like I know Joe Swanberg, or the gorgeous wife, or Lena Dunham... but most of all, and praise be to Jesus, it's like I know Anna Kendrick. She gives a superb performance of a very funny dysfunctional character with some very funny scenes and for me it was worth it just to watch her. The baby is hilarious too. It's about as entertaining as watching a real family fight going on if you are just a spectator. But hey, sometimes that is a lot of fun.

Joe Swanberg who wrote, directed and played one of the leading roles in this his latest film is known for his improvisational independent films. Although I liked, as other reviewers have noted his recent movie "Drinking Buddies", I felt this film's improvisations failed in that the dialogue was too stilted, awkward, and filled with what appeared to be inside jokes that the cast would laugh at, ignoring basically the viewers that were watching. Thus the whole thing just got more and more annoying for me as it progressed.

The plot centers on the loving couple of Kelly (Melanie Lynskey) and Jeff Spelling (Swanberg) and their adorable son Jude welcoming to their home, in Chicago around Christmas time, Jeff's sister Jenny (Anna Kendrick),after she just broke up with her boyfriend. Once Jenny enters the scene, they'll be a lot of scenes involving pot smoking, drinking, sex, and explicit sex talk. They'll be other plot elements involving Jenny's irresponsibility and her attempts along with her friend Carson (Lena Dunham) to convince Kelly to devote more time to her writing and to get help with the raising of her son.

All in all, as mentioned, I just felt the improvisational approach here just didn't work, and the movie ended up having little entertainment value for me.

I saw this film listed in the TV schedules, I recognised one or two names in the cast, and I read about the concept, it sounded like something that may be interesting or fun for the festive season. Basically Jenny (Anna Kendrick) is an irresponsible twenty-something party girl who has broken up with her boyfriend. She arrives in Chicago to move in with her older brother Jeff (Joe Swanberg, also writing and directing),a young filmmaker living happily with his novelist wife Kelly (Heavenly Creatures' Melanie Lynskey) and their two-year-old son. Jenny's arrival shakes up their quiet and happy domestic existence, along with her friend Carson (Lena Dunham). Jenny begins a rocky relationship with babysitter and pot dealer Kevin (Mark Webber). They help Kelly to realise an evolution in her life, career and relationship is necessary for her happiness. All events take place during the Christmas period, so naturally all the characters try to prepare for and celebrate the season as best as they can during all the drama. Also starring Jude Swanberg as Jude and Kris Swanberg as Landlord. This seems like a typical Christmassy "sibling nightmare" story, but what makes it different is the loose, improvisational style, this would explain why Kendrick says "like" constantly, which is a little annoying. To be honest, I didn't find myself laughing very much, it is a little boring in moments, but the personalities are alright, some conversations are worthwhile, and it is not schmaltzy, maybe not the sort of thing I can see myself watching again, but a reasonable seasonal comedy. Okay!