Today, Paramount is releasing Happy Christmas on DVD.  Jenny (Anna Kendrick) has just broken up with her boyfriend, when she goes to stay with her brother Jeff (Joe Swanberg) over the holidays, with his wife Kelly (Melanie Lynsky) and their young son (Jude Swanberg).  Jenny is barely responsible when it comes to living with a small child, staying out late and getting drunk with her friend Carson (Lena Dunham), but she might just prove beneficial to the young family in the long run.

Filmed at director Joe Swanberg’s own Chicago home, Happy Christmas is the sort of low budget film that works because of the sharply naturalistic dialogue and strong performances.  Joe Swanberg makes for a likeable everyman in front of the camera, but this is really a showcase for Anna Kendrick, who is simply excellent here.  This is a low key and very entertaining little film that is well worth seeing, especially with the holidays fast approaching.  You can read my full review right here.

Happy Christmas is 82 minutes and rated 14A.

-John Corrado