David Gordon Green’s Nutcrackers sees the director stepping away from his recent studio horror ventures to return to a more indie style, exploring characters deeply rooted in their rural surroundings. This charming fish-out-of-water comedy, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, aims to evoke the naturalism and heartfelt emotion of Green’s earlier films like George Washington and All the Real Girls. However, its predictability often undercuts its sentimental impact.
The film’s inspiration stemmed from Green’s experience with the four lively sons of an old friend, leading to a screenplay by Leland Douglas that appears to allow the young actors some improvisational freedom. This approach infuses Nutcrackers with a refreshing sincerity, further enhanced by Ben Stiller’s understated portrayal of a Chicagoan who unexpectedly becomes a guardian to his late sister’s energetic nephews. Despite this, the film’s reliance on montages and slow-motion sequences highlights its narrative shortcomings.
Nutcrackers
The Bottom Line: Heartfelt but somewhat formulaic.
Venue: Toronto International Film Festival (Gala Presentations)
Cast: Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Arlo Janson, Atlas Janson, Toby Huss, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker, Maren Heisler
Director: David Gordon Green
Screenwriter: Leland Douglas
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes
Green cites influences like The Bad News Bears and Breaking Away, aiming to present a story free of cynicism where the young characters shine without the typical movie gloss. In this respect, he succeeds thanks to the natural spontaneity of the Janson brothers, who play themselves as unruly, home-schooled pranksters in a lively, unkempt environment.
The Janson brothers, rebranded as the Kicklighters in the film, are an engaging ensemble. They range from 12-year-old Justice (Homer Janson) to 8-year-old twins Samuel and Simon (Atlas and Arlo Janson). Their performances benefit from their real-life sibling dynamics, though their dialogue can occasionally be hard to follow.
In a nod to Uncle Buck, Ben Stiller’s character, Michael, mirrors John Candy’s role as an unassuming guardian, though Michael is neither a slovenly drunkard nor a typical Stiller neurotic. As a joyless real estate developer, Michael arrives in Ohio expecting to finalize a foster placement for his orphaned nephews, only to find himself unexpectedly responsible for their chaotic lives.
Michael’s initial disdain for his new role gradually gives way to genuine affection, a transition highlighted by a local performance of The Nutcracker’s Mustache—a playful twist on the classic ballet and a tribute to the boys’ late parents. The film explores Michael’s emotional evolution, contrasting his once-cold demeanor with the warmth he develops through his interactions with the Kicklighter boys.
While Nutcrackers may not reinvent the family comedy genre, it offers a warm and engaging experience for viewers willing to embrace Green’s heartfelt, if somewhat familiar, narrative style.