Great Holiday Movie – New Year’s Eve (2011)
If you are looking for something cozy to watch on New Year’s Eve or any winter evening, here is a great pick – the romantic comedy New Year’s Eve (2011). Even if it slipped past you when it came out, it still holds up well as light holiday viewing.
Movie poster for New Year’s Eve (2011)
Directed by Garry Marshall, the film packs an astonishing concentration of famous actors and actresses into one story set across New York City on December 31.
Plot Overview and Ensemble Cast
At its heart, the movie is an ensemble holiday anthology following several intertwined storylines about love, hope, and second chances in the hours leading up to midnight:
- Times Square ball drop – Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank) is in charge of the midnight countdown, while a character played by Ludacris helps keep order on the square where several threads meet at the finale.
- New Year’s resolution list – secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) decides to overhaul her routine in one night, and courier Paul (Zac Efron) helps her check off the entire bucket list.
- Stuck in an elevator – Randy (Ashton Kutcher) and singer Elise (Lea Michele) get trapped together between floors right before midnight.
- Hospital night shift – nurse Aimee (Halle Berry) cares for patient Stan Harris (Robert De Niro), who hopes to see New York celebrate one last time.
- Reunions and family – Sam (Josh Duhamel) races across the city for a promised meeting, chef Laura (Katherine Heigl) crosses paths with rock musician Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), expectant parents Tess (Jessica Biel) and Griffin (Seth Meyers) wait for the first baby of the year, and Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker) tries to let her teenage daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) grow up. The cast also includes Sofia Vergara, Til Schweiger, and Hector Elizondo.
Quick Facts: Genre, Runtime, and Ratings
- Genre – romantic comedy anthology.
- Director – Garry Marshall (who also directed Valentine’s Day in 2010 and Mother’s Day in 2016).
- Runtime – 118 minutes (nearly two hours of easygoing seasonal viewing).
- Ratings – Kinopoisk 6.9 / 10, IMDb 5.6 / 10.
Is It Worth Watching?
With a cast like that, the movie almost sells itself – and add New York City dressed up for the holidays: Times Square lights, shop windows, evening crowds, and city energy before midnight.
We really enjoyed watching it: a warm, relaxed feel-good film that asks very little of you while putting you right in the holiday mood.