MOVIE REVIEW: FOUR CHRISTMASES
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Movie Review Assignment: Four Christmases
Natalie Radcliffe
School of Behavioral Science, Liberty University
PACO 615: Marriage and Family Counseling
December 4, 2022
MOVIE REVIEW: FOUR CHRISTMASES
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Movie Review Assignment: Four Christmases
The movie “Four Christmases” (2008) centers around a couple, Brad and Kate, who seem
to have a loving and fulfilling relationship. They have a healthy sex life, spend quality time
together, and plan vacations, which is how the movie opens. Things fall apart when weather
keeps them from their annual Christmas vacation where they usually lie to and avoid family
obligations. Due to the weather, Brad and Kate are forced to spend the day traveling to four
Christmases at each of their divorced parents’ homes. Family strife and learning more about
each other causes cracks in their seemingly flawless relationship and they begin to wonder if
they can continue in their relationship.
Impactful Scene
In the beginning of the movie while Brad and Kate are preparing for their trip, Brad
mentions he picked up headphones for Kate, which Kate is appreciative of. Kate then mentions
she took the liberty of booking a couple’s massage for them. This small dialogue is such a great
moment for couples to be able to see the impact of doing things for each other. Those small acts
when a couple is not together is a great way to show the other that they were thinking of them
and their needs, even when they are apart. On the flip side, viewers can see that playing board
games with Brad’s family reveals their relationship may be more surface level. The other couples
use their friendship and deeper knowledge and intimacy of each other to answer the questions,
while Brad and Kate do not seem to know each other as well as they thought.
Further Reflection
As viewers watch, I would urge them to notice the difference in the families of Brad and
Kate. Conflict began to arise once they got to know each other’s families and their individual
hurts from their family of origin were introduced (Ripley et al, 2014). Initially, both parties were
adamantly against marriage because of their respective families. Brad is closed off emotionally
because of his father and brothers. Kate seems to still be struggling with hurts from her parents’
divorce.
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Therapeutic Implications
Intimacy
In the first twenty minutes of the movie, viewers are offered a glimpse into Brad and
Kate’s relationships. The couple engage in role play showcasing healthy physical intimacy.
Additionally, the couple is seen holding hands, touching each other, dancing together, and more.
Outside of physical intimacy, they share an intellectual intimacy playing games, having
conversations, and taking trips (Moitinho, 2020). While that is healthy and a great example for
couples, it is also important to note the lack of depth and emotional and spiritual intimacy,
which led to breakdowns in their relationship.
These scenes can allow couples to see the importance of friendship in a relationship.
Genuinely enjoying each other’s company is important and when watching the scenes, it is hard
not to smile at their fondness for each other. I believe couples can emotionally react to that
intimacy noted on screen. As a counselor, I can highlight how easily the relationship began to
crumble at the smallest hint of trouble. Brad and Kate did not know each other on a deeper,
emotional, and spiritual level. There was not a safe space in their relationship for vulnerability
and therefore they had guarded hearts, even with each other (Moitinho, 2020).
The Enrichment Couple
Viewers can determine that while there are issues, Brad and Kate are a seemingly
“normal” couple, labeling them as an enrichment couple (Ripley et al, 2014). Their problems are
run of the mill issues and their breakdown of communication and argument in the third act is
resolved quickly with effective communication. I would draw clients to scenes like when Kate
has stage fright after being forced to perform in a play. Brad loves the spotlight and cannot
relate to Kate’s stage fright. Kate becomes frustrated that he is not supporting her in the way
she needs, but Brad feels he is supporting her by “carrying the performance”, as he says.
Cognitively, couples can see a humorous take on a common issue in relationships, unmet
needs, and different personalities (Moitinho, 2020). Neither is in the wrong in the movie, they
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simply have different viewpoints of the situation. For enrichment couples, the couple can see
the better course of action through communicating one’s needs rather than expecting the other
to know what they are (Ripley et al, 2014).
Hope
In the third act both Kate and Brad talk with their respective fathers. Through these
honest conversations, they are both able to separate their past from their future and see that
their parents’ relationships do not have to be theirs. Throughout the movie, the past hurts and
their families had them feeling they could not have a deeper relationship and kept them from
being truly close with one another. At the end, Brad and Kate can come together and see a
hopefocused future together that takes the parts of their relationship that are working and
commit to growing in the other areas together.
Couples can spiritually and emotionally connect to this hope-focused finale in the movie.
They can see that, while there are still issues, the couples commit to work on them together, on
the same team. Together, they walk through the ‘perfect relationship’ intervention as they feel
optimistic about a future together (Ripley et al, 2014). As a counselor I can compare the
beginning of the movie, where only physical and intellectual intimacy were present, and point
out that the couple became more intimate on an emotional and spiritual level as they expressed
optimism and hope in their future together (Moitinho, 2020).
Personal/Professional Implications
Personal Connection
My husband is my best friend. We spend our evenings together, have weekly at-home
date nights, and bi-monthly date nights out. We also take yearly trips without our kids to focus
on each other. I love the friendship between the couple highlighted in the movie. Our closest
friends, who are struggling in their marriage right now, are not friends. It makes me sad hearing
other people not put the value on having their spouse as their best friend because I know how
much they are missing out on.
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Counseling the Non-Christian Couple
I have been struggling with how to use this hope-focused approach on a non-Christian
couple. Being a pastor, I bring everything back to God’s word. This movie gave me scenarios that
a non-Christian couple (and any couple) would encounter and how to instill hope and optimism
even if faith is not addressed. When Brad and Kate communicate effectively and focus on a
future together, they never mention religion or faith. However, they still use the methods taught
in the text to find a hopeful future together (Ripley et al, 2014).
Healthy Marriage Comes in All Forms
Though small, I agreed with the movie showcasing how healthy Brad’s brother’s
marriage was. They are a stereotypical ‘redneck’ couple, but it is clear to see how much they
love each other and how well they know each other from the board games scene. It was a nice
moment for Brad and Kate, who were judgmental of them initially, to see a bond they
themselves were lacking.
References
Gordon, S. (Director). (2008). Four Christmases [Film]. New Line Cinema.
Moitinho, E., & Moitinho, D. (2020). Dream home: How to create an intimate Christian marriage.
Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Ripley, J. S., & Worthington, E. L. (2014). Couple therapy: A new hope-focused approach.
InterVarsity Press.
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