Here in the Mid-Atlantic states this film, "Merry Friggin' Christmas," discussed as long ago as early 2013 here on the Forum, has debuted straight-to-video. See prior thread: https://ogrforum.com/t...as-movie-prop?page=1
We rented it from RedBox tonight.
With all of the work that the production props lady put into finding out about Lionel trains of 1973, her effort resulted in about 60 seconds worth of film! A train set is opened in a flash-back scene within the first five minutes. The set box lid is covered in Christmas wrap, so no exact set is identified. We then see a solitary Lionel locomotive rounding some 027 track.... & hear a whistle from a non-present tender! That is it for then. About 15 minutes later, we see Robin Williams (dressed as a drunken, hippie dad) in another 1973 flash-back, assembling 027 track on the floor with his son. No trains in this shot. That is it for good!!!
Given that I believe the props lady who posted here specifically asked about Lionel trains from 1973, I think her timing was early by about 10 years. The film occurs in "present-day," while the boy who appears to be no more than 10 in the flashbacks, seems to now be about 35 years old. (The actor who plays him was BORN in 1971 & is a young-looking 43 today!) Being picky, this pegs the flashbacks to be in the 1980-1983 era, not 1973, as a 10-year-old in 1973 would be 51 in "2014."
So, if you are planning to see this film/DVD only for the sake of Lionel trains, don't. As for the film itself (aside from its unattractive title), my wife & I were pleasantly surprised. It was better than we expected. FIRST off, this is no Christmas movie you will ever see on the Hallmark Channel, but that is not a bad thing. Profanities and/or sex references are few to none. It is about a dysfunctional family forced together for a Christmas with present-day "Grandpa" (Williams) coming to reconciliation with his son (the lad in the flashbacks). The pair had become estranged due to the father's life-long alcoholism & poor parenting skills. There are many funny moments throughout, but it is a rough-edged family with real problems. Supporting cast members include Candice Bergen as Williams' wife, comedian Joel McHale as the modern-day son, and Lauren Graham as his wife. (It was tough seeing the 68-year-old Bergan as a granny, but she did a good job).
Its not "Christmas with the Waltons," for sure... but we would recommend it as fairly good....& for the chance to see one of William's final theatrical appearances (he also appears in theaters this Christmas season in "Night at the Museum III"). Enjoy! And.... a Merry Christmas!!!
