The calendar has turned over to November and, with the holidays closing in,Danny DeVito,Wilmer Valderrama, andAndie MacDowellhave come down withA Sudden Case of Christmas. On November 8, the light-hearted dramedy starring the trio will arrive in theaters and on digital and on-demand platforms to help instill viewers witha warm, fuzzy, familial feelingahead of the holiday season. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomite Mountain range in Italy, they’ll navigate a complicated situation when Christmas comes early for a family in the middle of a marriage crisis. In a Collider exclusive sneak peek, DeVito and his co-stars share their hopes for what audiences take away from what they describe as a new spin onthe typical yuletide tale.
A Sudden Case of Christmaspairs up Valderrama andLucy DeVitoas an American couple preparing to go their separate ways. To break the unfortunate news to their young daughter Claire, played byTerrifier 3’sAntonella Rose, they take a trip to Italy to visit her grandfather Lawrence’s (Danny DeVito) grand hotel. However, the plan quickly falls apart whenClaire insists they celebrate Christmas in Augustto bring the whole family closer together. Adding to the festivities is the arrival of Claire’s other grandparents (MacDowell andJosé Zúñiga) who have a few secrets between them that could turn the merry get-together upside down.
In the clip, the cast focuses less on what the movie is about but on its greater themes and the general feeling it’s trying to instill. Valderrama, DeVito, and MacDowell express how it aims to invoke the classic feelings of love and togetherness the holidays bring while still offering something new. Family is the key for DeVito, as theIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiastarsays “I think this is a movie that’s gonna make you feel like you want to be with your family” and compares it to a line fromTheWar of the Rosesabout remembering what you love about the important people in your life. Valderrama similarly hopes for healing,prompting viewers to reflect on their relationships after seeing Claire and her family confront their own issues. In general, the trio hopes to spread a little positivity and bring a few laughs along the way.
‘A Sudden Case of Christmas’ Is a Family Affair for DeVito
Fitting the themes of the movie, the cast also had an emphasis on family with the reunion of Danny and Lucy DeVito. The father-daughter duo have linked up on several occasions, most recently intheir FXX adult-animated comedyLittle Demonas Satan and his 13-year-old daughter. In addition to Valderrama, MacDowell, Rose, and Zúñiga, they’re joined on the call sheet byAdrian Dunbar, Valeria Cavalli, Mario de la Rosa, Francesco Salvi, andDenis Conway. Two-time BAFTA nomineePeter ChelsomdirectedA Sudden Case of Christmasand co-wrote the film withTinker Lindsay, who previously collaborated on theSimon Pegg-led featureHector and the Search for Happinessand the Sky Original thrillerSecurity.
A Sudden Case of Christmasarrives in theaters, digital, and On-Demand on November 8 and on DVD on November 19. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.
