I haven't read Skipping Christmas, John Grisham's tale of yuletide misanthropy, but the novel's title strikes me as more appropriate—and appealing—than the one created for the movie adaptation. The story follows the not-so-subtly named Luther Krank (Tim Allen) and his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis), who decide to forgo the usual holiday festivities in favor of a Caribbean cruise. It's reminiscent of Albert Brooks "dropping out of society" in Lost in America, only without the humor.
For a short while, the film makes some social commentary on greed and consumerism, and the antics allow Jamie Lee Curtis to show off her comedic talent. Before long, though, the uninspired script by Chris Columbus, abetted by the slothful direction of erstwhile producer Joe Roth, snap the picture back into tedium and a forgone conclusion. We already know what Luther Krank must stubbornly learn: You can't skip Christmas. But you can skip this movie.