‘Nutcrackers’ review: Ben Stiller misses the mark aiming for ‘Uncle Buck’

When David Gordon Green introduced his film “Nutcrackers” at the Toronto Film Festival, he rejected cynicism, which raised concerns among critics. The movie, inspired by classic comedies like “The Bad News Bears” and “Uncle Buck,” falls short of being genuinely funny. The story follows a middle-aged man, Michael (played by Ben Stiller), who must care for his rowdy nephews after their parents’ death. Despite the charming concept and the boys’ involvement in shaping the story, the film lacks momentum and depth. Ben Stiller’s performance feels out of place, as he struggles to match the natural tone of the young actors. The boys, while endearing, are underdeveloped, leading to a film that fails to balance charm with substance.

Analysis of “Nutcrackers”

Despite having charming characters, Nutcrackers falls short of being a cohesive movie, with repetitive jokes and unexplored ideas.

Final Verdict

While aiming for feel-good comedy, Nutcrackers ends up being more of a feel-meh experience for viewers.

Nutcrackers is currently available on Hulu.