Uncle Nick

Failing to live up to it anarchic convictions by adding sympathetic aspects to its central character shortly before the conclusion, Uncle Nick, much like the sorts of holiday celebrations it depicts, is ultimately too strained to be enjoyable.

Having to spend time with any of these characters would be nobody's idea of fun.

The unifying twist is the sort of thing meant to impress a screenwriting workshop instructor, while the action leading up to it toggles between gross physical humor and imagery and in-your-face personal dysfunction.

Despite an amusingly dirty-and-dour lead performance, this Yuletide indie can barely sustain its boozy comedic buzz.

Exaggerates the genre's details to emphasize its grossness.

It certainly is a funnier holiday film than most holiday films.

Uncle Nick isn't as off-putting as its disgruntled lead, but unbalanced dark humor and disturbed storytelling don't do much for this alternative holiday disaster.

I spent the following 93 minutes wondering what kind of absurd bet Errol Morris must have lost to have his name associated with this dire project.

Hilarious and profoundly dark, the feature is an interesting counterpoint to holiday cheer, offering an engaging lump of coal for those who prefer their Christmas thoroughly soiled by bad behavior.

Haunting despite its serious flaws.