I had missed watching this Christmas film for at least two years before I finally got the opportunity, I knew the leading British star in it, and the title made it blatantly obvious when it was set, but that's about it, produced by Larry King. Basically, it is Christmas Eve in New York City, and many characters have entered elevators when there is a road accident. The driver of a van flips his vehicle which skids across a frozen lake, and crashes into a power box, which powers most of the city. The crash causes a power cut that traps the various characters in their elevators. Business tycoon Harris (Sir Patrick Stewart) is left stranded all alone in the winter cold, trapped in the cage-like lift of a skyscraper under construction, and tries calling for help. James Harris (Jon Heder) is a tech specialist who has just been fired, and he is forced to share the office elevator with Randy (Max Casella), the fantasy-football-obsessed jerk who fired him. An annoying gum-chewing photographer named B (James Roday Rodriguez) gets trapped with shy beautiful companion Ann (Julianna Guill), and while trapped she poses in photos for him and they flirt. Dr. Roberts (Gary Cole) gets trapped with an unconscious patient on a stretcher and fellow hospital staff. There is also a gang of seven bickering musicians, including sassy trumpet player Dawn (Cheryl Hines) and worrying trombone player Walt (David Bamber), and a bunch of misfits, including intelligent Briton Glen (EastEnders' Steven John Shepherd), oddball Molly (Roxy Cook) and army military clad Nick (Taylor James). All have both meaningful and insignificant conversations together, with some trying to find a way and others simply sitting and waiting for help. Eventually, the power is back, and the characters all go their separate ways, but some do reunite. Also starring Christina Chong as Karen, Juliet Aubrey as Marta, Jenny Oaks Baker as Mandy, Lex Shrapnel as Tim, Jaclyn Hales as Lila, and Clara Perez as Amelia. It may have the ensemble cast of recognisable faces, and some give reasonable performances, but they are let down by a silly script, the limited location concept does not help the pace, and I honestly do not remember laughing or caring about any particular storyline going on, I am not surprised I dozed off at some point, it is a just a boring and pointless seasonal comedy. Pretty poor!
Review of Christmas Eve
