Tangled Up in Christmas

Tangled Up in Christmas follows Elizabeth (Molly Flanagan) when she returns home for the annual Christmas charity event at her parents’ home, with her sister Sam (Tess Rianne Sullivan). Elizabeth is reeling from a complicated relationship with her husband, Frank (Jonathan Cahill). Both sisters must learn to work together to ensure the event goes as planned, or Christmas will be ruined. 

Adopting a wholesome narrative from its holiday setting and the theme of sisterhood, writer/director Michael Joseph Nelson suitably sets the tone for what one would generally come to expect from a piece of filmmaking such as this. The film includes incredibly well-implemented Christmas needle drops with a cosy vibe, creating a heartwarming atmosphere reminiscent of a family Christmas. 

The musical score is whimsical and consistently fits the tone throughout the entire runtime. While the camerawork isn't anything that groundbreaking, it is competently shot for this specific genre of film and the themes it tackles. 

Michael Joseph Nelson and Marcelo Sansevieri’s edit is seamless throughout, with suitably placed transitions into different sequences. Some scenes may overstay their welcome; however, this is more a result of thinly stretched dialogue rather than formal decisions. The momentary use of black and white photography is also an effective decision within a sequence of surrealism. 

The film takes a rather steady pace to flesh out the character dynamics between Elizabeth and Sam, which brings strengths and detriments during the prolonged second act. While there's not much to chew on thematically, the narrative is entirely anchored by their relationship and the chemistry-laden cast of characters. The supporting characters, at times, can unfortunately feel one-dimensional in their characterisation, and some of the line deliveries can feel robotic and clumsy in their execution. It can also be challenging to engage with the supporting characters due to their limited depth, but their chemistry with the leading players always keeps the narrative grounded and natural. 

The central performances from Molly Flanagan and Tess Rianne Sullivan are incredibly endearing, and they display a profound level of nuance and love for one another. Flanagan, in particular, has incredible comedic timing, and the film rests entirely on their sisterhood dynamic. While Elizabeth does possess a rather manipulative personality to get Sam to come with her to their parents’ home, it's hard not to care about the character, thanks to Molly Flanagan’s performance. 

Unfortunately, the narrative can become deeply unengaging throughout the second act, primarily due to the stagnant planning of the charity event and a forced central romance that doesn't fully resonate, despite Molly Flanagan and Michael Joseph Nelson’s heartwarming chemistry. 

The prolonged buildup, however, thankfully feels earned as the conclusive moments of the story wrap up the central driving point of the narrative in an emotionally satisfying manner, leaving the viewer with a profound message of acceptance of where you are in life currently, even with its pitfalls. It’s a family-friendly piece of entertainment that may appeal to a broader target audience for annual viewing around the holiday season.

Tangled Up in Christmas is a cosy and wholesome piece of filmmaking with a lovely Christmas setting built on a compelling set of performances from Molly Flanagan and Tess Rianne Sullivan. While it may suffer from some pacing issues in the second act and a central romance that doesn't fully land, it's competently directed by Michael Joseph Nelson and leaves the viewer with a loving sense of fulfilment in the acceptance of the complicated nature of their dysfunctional family.