Xenia Ruiz

In a world dominated by "classic, snowy" holiday movies, this was a welcome break. Though I am not a Chris Brown (Rhianna episode) or Loretta Devine (the voice) fan, I enjoyed their characters, in addition to the other eye-candy "brothers." The subplot with Idris' debts, the enforcers, the secret white wife, was all a bit much. (And how many black matriarchs need to be called Ma'dere/ MaDear??) The sisters were well-rounded but the two older sisters' rivalry reminded me of "Soul Food." (I don't believe in domestic violence but I laughed when Lisa whupped her cheating husband's butt -- not long though. Do ALL husbands cheat??) Also, the brother getting in trouble with the law seemed borrowed straight from the "Soul Food" script. The sound track saved it from being a B movie. Overall, a good movie for a lazy Sunday evening.