Christmas with the Whitfield family is undeniably eventful: matriarch Ma'Dere (Loretta Devine) is cooking, daughter Lisa (Regina King) is about to discover her husband's extramarital activities, deadbeat son Quentin (Idris Elba) is being chased by loan sharks, Claude (Columbus Short) is AWOL from the marines and Kelli (Sharon Leal) has just fallen for a fireman (ER's Mekhi Phifer). This saccharine holiday movie delivers plenty of cheer as it zips through its soap-opera plotting with a dash of wit and plenty of enthusiastic performances from its African-American cast. As the family elders, Loretta Devine and the stately Delroy Lindo add a touch of gravitas to the proceedings. Meanwhile, their on-screen offspring indulge in sassy backchat and a never-ending series of catfights and put-downs, all scored to a number of jaunty Christmas carols. With so many storylines and characters, the film inevitably overstays its welcome, but only a Scrooge could fail to be warmed by the seasonalgoodwill.

This year Christmas with the Whitfields promises to be one they will never forget. All the siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them. As the Christmas tree is trimmed and the lights are hung, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family.