I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

REVIEWED BY CARISSA HORTON

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: mature elements, sensuality

Rated:

During the holidays, you would imagine that home is where practically everybody wants to be headed. Well, not so for college student Jake Wilkinson (Jonathan Taylor Thomas). His relationship with his father is somewhat stressed to put it mildly, mostly due to his new stepmother. After failing to convince his girlfriend, Allie (Jessica Biel) to take a romantic vacation with him for Christmas, Jake is resigned to spending the holidays at school. Until a rather fascinating phone call from his father swiftly alters his plans. Mr. Wilkinson is willing to give Jake the extremely expensive Porsche if he can get in the door before their 6:00 dinner on Christmas Eve.

As you can imagine, Jake's only thought now is to get home in time to be given the greatest gift a college guy could desire. However, a little hitch is thrown into his plans. Jake isn't the sweet, charming guy you would hope for in a main character but has a tendency to cheat on his tests and assist others in doing the same. His last attempt backfired and the three guys he was trying to help in acing their tests lost big time. During the final Christmas party of the college, Jake is snatched from right under the very noses of his companions and wakens to find himself in the middle of the desert dressed in a Santa suit. He now has no money, no transportation, no ticket home, and the beard and hat are glued to his head.

Even Allie gives up hope on him, as he was going to accompany her home since they live in the same town. Instead she's reduced to accepting a ride from Eddie (Adam LaVorgna), one of the oiliest womanizers in the school. Needless to say, she's not very thrilled with her boyfriend at the moment, particularly since she can't find him. Jake is now forced to hitchhike across country and in so doing meets some rather intriguing people, influencing them for good in ways he may never fully comprehend.

First off, I am not, have never been, and will never be a Jonathon Taylor Thomas fan. I can't name one role that I've ever liked him in, and this movie is no exception. His character has a tendency to be on the jerky side, with a definite self-interest that borders on being downright inconsiderate of others. His offer of a romantic Christmas weekend with just himself and his girlfriend was about as inappropriate as you could get and I was thrilled she turned him down flat. But I get the impression her refusal was more out of a desire to be home for the holidays rather than for any moral reason. One of the first scenes between Jake and Allie takes place when she's asleep and he's calmly crawled onto her bed and under her arm. It's implied that a married man was having an affair, which is why he and his wife split up. Jake manages to get them back together, but there is always something in it for him. There is an instance of very near nudity which completely shocked me, particularly in a PG Disney film. Jake calmly rips a towel off Eddie after he's finally tracked him and Allie down in a motel (nothing took place between Allie and Eddie), and if not for a conveniently placed table there would have been nothing left to the imagination.

A few kisses are exchanged, one between Allie and Eddie and one between Allie and Jake, but they're rather modest. Be prepared for a bit of rude humor, some visible, some not. I've never appreciated the sound of anyone hurling in a moving vehicle, let along in a holiday movie. I will give credit though: Jake does seem to undergo a change of heart by the end of the film. For the longest time it's difficult to tell, what with all the lying and deceit, but his end actions do suggest that he's learned his lesson and finally understands the love of family and the true meaning of Christmas. For me, Christmas films should make one feel good inside, a sense of satisfaction and familial ties. I'm sorry to report that I'll Be Home for Christmas does not abound with that sense of holiday cheer and goodwill toward men. Still, Jonathon Taylor Thomas fans will most likely find the movie quite enjoyable and I will admit that it can be quite hilarious at times. I would prefer to curl up with Home Alone or Prancer, but I'll Be Home for Christmas can give one several good laughs so long as we don't strive to emulate Jake and his friends.