“Saint Nick” is a raunchy comedy that perfectly offsets the standard Christmas cheese. A true indie film, it was directed by Justin Knodel, and written by Knodel, Christopher McGahan, and Chris Levine – the latter of which also stars.
A nifty animated sequence opens the picture. The music is a perfect holiday accompaniment, and the score feels like a playful jab at Hallmark feelgood stories. Its set in sunny Southern California, which is usually a knock for me when it comes to a Christmas movie. But here, it fits with the characters and story rather than detracting from it.
Diane (Rachel Alig) is a single mom in a conundrum. She’s travelling for work and will miss Christmas. Diane needs someone to watch her 10-year-old son, Trevor (Alex Lizzul). With nowhere left to go, she is forced to turn to her last remaining option; her slacker brother Nick (Chris Levine).
It sounds like something you’ve seen before. But “Saint Nick” paints the humor with a brush of coarseness that works. It’s the type of movie you’ll hate yourself for laughing at while simultaneously laughing at it. Diane is rattling off a list of protentional sitters. She asks Trevor “What about Billy?” “He’s on a trip to Israel.” “Jesus.” She replies quickly. “No mom they’re Jewish.” It’s a cheap joke that I laughed at both times I watched the scene.
Likeable characters
Nick himself is introduced in a silly musical number. Eye rolling but somehow funny. He’s at a bar where he spends most nights. Runing up a tab he has no intention or ability to pay. We get the idea that he’s a nice guy just down on his luck. He loves his sister, and actually cares about his nephew. Chris Levine has a charisma that makes me like him and the character. You want this guy to succeed. And you’ll want to share a drink with him.
The bulk of the movie is Nick and Trevor spending the week together. The relationship between the two works well. Nick is doing whatever he can to ensure Trevor has a great holiday. He also fills the role of the boy’s absentee father. We get scenes interspersed showing Diane at her corporate getaway, which adds more humorous moments. Rachel Alig is hysterical with her performances well.
“Saint Nick” can be repetitive, but at 91 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a great changeup to your holiday movie viewing. Look for it on Amazon this December.
