It's a spoof of the hallmark Christmas movies, but that's what makes it work. All the cliches and characters poked fun at, plenty of jokes. For all the different cheap movies made for Christmas this is definitely one of the more entertaining. Worth the watch if looking for a laugh and like the rom com hallmark movies.
24 Reviews
Not silly enough
denise-881525 December 2021
I guess I'm just not silly enough to have embraced this show. Im not a Hallmark movie fan and was really looking for a parody of those movies; and granted there were pieces (small) that achieved that purpose. But the dialogue between the inn owners went on too long as did the montages. My fav scene was the "gay" guy ....! It didn't parody any Hallmark scene, but was funny. I think this show will appeal to an audience that revels in the new SNL or Dumb/Dumber movies.
An appropriate parody.
adamjohns-4257516 January 2023
A Clusterfunke Christmas (2021) -
I put this film on with the intention of watching the first 15 minutes and then turning it off, because I had expected it to be awful.
And for those first 15 minutes I was right, because I had no idea at that point that it was a parody. It had been unclear, because some of the other 'Made For TV' films had actually been that bad, without deliberately trying. Parodies of themselves in some ways.
However, I felt that it was going somewhere, so I did actually stick with it.
If I hadn't realised then that it was a comedy I would definitely have given up after Holly, played by Vella Lovell, turned up at the inn.
Holly was a vile character and I never actually warmed to her. I felt sorry for anyone that she might have ended up with. So it was fortunate that Cheyenne Jackson, in the role of Frank, was not exactly the nicest character either, although he was sexy. A bit daft and aggressive, certainly to Holly, but definitely nice to look at.
Once I realised what they were trying to achieve, I actually quite liked a lot of the references, because I've often wondered why no one pays for coffee and so on and the traditional Hallmark, Etc films have consistently been so formulaic that they were easy to ridicule.
It was actually quite laugh out loud funny at some points, because as a self confessed connoisseur of Christmas films, it was easy for me to recognise everything that they were taking the mick out of, but I felt that they had really missed an opportunity to go huge with the jokes, with so many other films to replicate and aspects that were crying out for ridicule from so many of the stories they were sending up.
But I did enjoy it and I would definitely look for it again next year.
6.5/10.
I put this film on with the intention of watching the first 15 minutes and then turning it off, because I had expected it to be awful.
And for those first 15 minutes I was right, because I had no idea at that point that it was a parody. It had been unclear, because some of the other 'Made For TV' films had actually been that bad, without deliberately trying. Parodies of themselves in some ways.
However, I felt that it was going somewhere, so I did actually stick with it.
If I hadn't realised then that it was a comedy I would definitely have given up after Holly, played by Vella Lovell, turned up at the inn.
Holly was a vile character and I never actually warmed to her. I felt sorry for anyone that she might have ended up with. So it was fortunate that Cheyenne Jackson, in the role of Frank, was not exactly the nicest character either, although he was sexy. A bit daft and aggressive, certainly to Holly, but definitely nice to look at.
Once I realised what they were trying to achieve, I actually quite liked a lot of the references, because I've often wondered why no one pays for coffee and so on and the traditional Hallmark, Etc films have consistently been so formulaic that they were easy to ridicule.
It was actually quite laugh out loud funny at some points, because as a self confessed connoisseur of Christmas films, it was easy for me to recognise everything that they were taking the mick out of, but I felt that they had really missed an opportunity to go huge with the jokes, with so many other films to replicate and aspects that were crying out for ridicule from so many of the stories they were sending up.
But I did enjoy it and I would definitely look for it again next year.
6.5/10.
Essentially, a parody of A Christmas Inheritance.
Malibukitten17 December 2021
Wow, that was bad...
IdaSlapter19 November 2022
Not sure what others watched, but this wasn't "absolutely hysterical" with "solid comedy writing" with "fantastic performances" on any level.
This was hyped as an 'Airplane-style' spoof of Hallmark movies, but it wasn't. The 1980 movie 'Airplane' worked because it featured actors known for their work in serious dramas, and had them playing it straight, as they parodied the 'Airport' movies of the 1970's.
This 'clusterfunke' didn't do that. They played almost every scene for laughs, and mugged mercilessly doing so. It was clearly more of a vehicle for Gastmeyer and Dratch, instead of a true parody or satire.
Yes, there were a few big laughs, but that means maybe three or four. Overall, a huge, missed opportunity.
This was hyped as an 'Airplane-style' spoof of Hallmark movies, but it wasn't. The 1980 movie 'Airplane' worked because it featured actors known for their work in serious dramas, and had them playing it straight, as they parodied the 'Airport' movies of the 1970's.
This 'clusterfunke' didn't do that. They played almost every scene for laughs, and mugged mercilessly doing so. It was clearly more of a vehicle for Gastmeyer and Dratch, instead of a true parody or satire.
Yes, there were a few big laughs, but that means maybe three or four. Overall, a huge, missed opportunity.
A Clüsterfünke Christmas
JoBloTheMovieCritic5 December 2021
I get it
SnoopyStyle11 December 2021
Holly (Vella Lovell) is from the big city. She's tasked with buying the Clüsterfünke Inne in Yuletown from sisters Marga (Rachel Dratch) and Hildy Clüsterfünke (Ana Gasteyer). It's a love-hate-meet-connection with the sisters' brother Frank Clüsterfünke (Cheyenne Jackson).
Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer are spoofing the standard Hallmark Christmas romance movies. It's an SNL idea being stretched out to a full length feature. I get the joke but it's not coming off as hilariously funny. Everything is done with a nudge and a wink. It needs some good physical humor or smashing through the 4th wall or go crazy surreal to break up the tone. It's just repetitive tonally. This may be a reason why Hallmark romantic movies are considered background TV. They don't tend to be dramatic or compelling. In order to spoof this correctly, they need to go crazy instead of riffing from the genre's basic style and structure playbook. One of the constant joke is the standard Canadian location shoot. The premise is to show the Canadian flag or let slip little Canadiana in the background. Why not go full out with a Canadian scene with Mounties and beavers and overflowing with Canadian flags? There is one lady who lets slip her Canadian dialect. They should bring in the Hallmark police and arrest her and drag her off in a Hannibal muzzle. They hit most of the tropes but they need to hit them much harder. In short, they need to push the envelope when Hallmark is famous for staying within the envelope and sealing it up tight.
Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer are spoofing the standard Hallmark Christmas romance movies. It's an SNL idea being stretched out to a full length feature. I get the joke but it's not coming off as hilariously funny. Everything is done with a nudge and a wink. It needs some good physical humor or smashing through the 4th wall or go crazy surreal to break up the tone. It's just repetitive tonally. This may be a reason why Hallmark romantic movies are considered background TV. They don't tend to be dramatic or compelling. In order to spoof this correctly, they need to go crazy instead of riffing from the genre's basic style and structure playbook. One of the constant joke is the standard Canadian location shoot. The premise is to show the Canadian flag or let slip little Canadiana in the background. Why not go full out with a Canadian scene with Mounties and beavers and overflowing with Canadian flags? There is one lady who lets slip her Canadian dialect. They should bring in the Hallmark police and arrest her and drag her off in a Hannibal muzzle. They hit most of the tropes but they need to hit them much harder. In short, they need to push the envelope when Hallmark is famous for staying within the envelope and sealing it up tight.
A genuinely funny satire
adamsandel5 December 2021
This does for Hallmark Christmas movies what Airplane! Did for Airport. The writing is smart, and the cast is perfect, hitting just the right notes between sincerity and satire as they spoof the cliches of the genre. Bonus points for some very funny double entendres - and for making fun of their own product placement.
Pretty decent initially, but went downhill quickly
Nathan428 December 2021
First 45 minutes: 6.5
Next 15: 4.5
Last 30: 1
So, so, so, so bad at the end, but the first half of the movie had plenty of laughs and felt fresh. Is never great, and definitely not worth watching more than once, but as long as you turn it off about halfway through, it's worth your time.
So, so, so, so bad at the end, but the first half of the movie had plenty of laughs and felt fresh. Is never great, and definitely not worth watching more than once, but as long as you turn it off about halfway through, it's worth your time.
Loved it! Touching as any Christmas movie, and funny too!
bknb027 December 2021
I saw the creators of the show on Wendy this morning talking about it and it really caught my attention what they were saying because I have watched quite a few Christmas movies and do love them! I was really glad that I was able to take some time and see it this afternoon, twice. It started to replay for a third time on Comedy Central and I stopped it because I don't want to get burned out on it because I want to be able to enjoy it again without feeling like it's too soon. I did a lot of Christmas shopping last night so it was just perfect timing!
The casting is excellent! All the characters are so sweetly developed and relatable. I think it could be a new classic! I agree with the craters that it's just hard to imagine that somebody had not thought to do this before. For me it had the right amount of silly comedy and some good obviously great timing with the girls who did it because they are real professionals! A joy. I can't think of any Christmas show that I enjoy more than this one.
The casting is excellent! All the characters are so sweetly developed and relatable. I think it could be a new classic! I agree with the craters that it's just hard to imagine that somebody had not thought to do this before. For me it had the right amount of silly comedy and some good obviously great timing with the girls who did it because they are real professionals! A joy. I can't think of any Christmas show that I enjoy more than this one.
Goofy
monkeebooboo11 December 2021
A parody of all those Hallmark, Lifetime...Christmas movies.
Avidviewer-0284717 December 2021
It's an MTV spoof on the formulaic and sometimes sickly sweet holiday films. This is actually better written than many of the holiday films and the acting is good. Imagine a town where coffee isn't available only hot cocoa, that' the fictional Yuletide, Maine.
There are a lot of double entendres, like the game they call cornholing between Cheyenne Jackson's character and Ryan McPartlin's character that involves tossing fruitcakes at a hole like a bean bag toss. I'd like to see more parody holiday films, hope there are more next year.
Hope the cast had as much fun making it as I had watching it.
There are a lot of double entendres, like the game they call cornholing between Cheyenne Jackson's character and Ryan McPartlin's character that involves tossing fruitcakes at a hole like a bean bag toss. I'd like to see more parody holiday films, hope there are more next year.
Hope the cast had as much fun making it as I had watching it.
nah
batoolbaloonhead28 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Riffing from the genre's basic style and structure playbook. One of the constant joke is the standard Canadian location shoot. The premise is to show the Canadian flag or let slip little Canadiana in the background. Why not go full out with a Canadian scene with Mounties.
As funny as a bleeding ulcer
cujorocky23 December 2021
The absolute worst acting of any Christmas movie ever. My wife lives everything. Everything. She has little understanding from a bad movie to a good one, but even she said let's turn this off. 10 minutes is all we could stomach. Horrible ham acting ugh!!!!!!!!!
This was a real hoot!
EmoEl17 December 2021
Hysterical...a great holiday spoof!
tikitim-7652014 December 2021
I actually found myself laughing out loud during several parts of this movie. I didn't really expect all that much but I love Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer. They did not disappoint and the film apart from funny was actually heartwarming and a great holiday film. I also really loved the cameo by Maya Rudolph. So funny! I'm very glad I saw.
A perfect spoof of hallmark Christmas movies
jakethesnake-4200713 December 2021
Some people will watch this and they won't get it those people have never seen a hallmark Christmas film. I love hallmark movies for the awfulness they are so when I heard about this film I had to watch it. I loved how self aware the film is poking fun of hallmark from the ad placements, Canadian locations ( I'm Canadian who lives in Canada so it's even funnier to us), the over acting , plot devices. The film could of been maybe a little more silly but then maybe it would of been to stupid. All I know is I want to see more movies like this.
Fun, fun, fun
rghathway11 December 2021
Perfect Hallmark Parody
Michael-560-39595312 December 2021
If you've enjoyed the guilty pleasure of a sappy Hallmark Christmas movie, give Clusterfunke a try. A wonderful parody of many of the Hallmark movies, right down to the product placement. No spoilers here, but the usual twists keep it fun.
Surprisingly good
Bill_S_DE_NJ12 December 2021
Surprisingly good
pdxseayvr28 December 2021
For some reason I figured this would probably be on the lame side but I ended up loving it...sweet, hilarious at times, and well done. This goes on to my *Christmas movies to watch every year* list. Rachel & Ana were great as always, but I do think that this wouldn't have flown had the star, Vella, not been so excellent in her role.
A parody done right!
marientwistletn31 January 2022
As an avid lover of Hallmark movies, I have to say this is one of the best parodies I've ever seen. To be able to pick up on all the nuances, you really have to know your Hallmark movies. All I can say is Rachel and Ana must have watched a million of these movies because they were able to capture the words and scenes perfectly. And the overacting by Holly was spot on. Cheyanne Jackson was great as Frank and I loved Percy! This will be on my list to watch every Christmas. Comedy Central you need to play this every year.
Loved but you have to appreciate dry humor
jenmickc10 November 2022
I feel like anyone who gave this a bad review must have a limited sense of humor - or is looking for obvious jokes like Big Bang Theory or something like that. I mean, if you need a laugh track then maybe it's not for you. This comedy was so smart - such a clever spoof on the ridiculous Hallmark Xmas movies. (Not that those movies don't have their necessary place during the holiday season.) Will be up there with my all-time favorite Christmas movies. I'm sure there were so many jokes I missed the first time around - I look forward to watching it again. Also, some other reviewer mentioned the acting was over the top...again, not understanding the premise of a spoof. Watch it with friends and some Christmas cheer - you can't go wrong!!
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