24 Years Ago, Abel Ferrara Created the Perfect Christmas Movie for Fans of 'The Sopranos'
This is a Christmas story without a moral, but with a chilling truth about how vice becomes everyday life.
For the renowned indie filmmaker Abel Ferrara, Christmas is not just a pretty setting – it is a time of profound moral tension, an existential trial, and a perfect reflection of the era.
His 2001 movie 'R Xmas is a unique and lesser-known work. This uncomfortable, morally ambiguous film will resonate with fans of the complex characters and dark atmosphere of The Sopranos.
And it's also perfect for those who miss the actors from HBO's greatest drama.
What Is ''R Xmas' About?
A Puerto Rican family in New York (played by Drea de Matteo and Lillo Brancato) appears to live a respectable life with their children. In reality, however, they are major drug dealers who package their merchandise right in their luxury apartment.
On Christmas Eve, the husband is kidnapped by his accomplices, and his wife is given an ultimatum to raise the ransom in a short amount of time.
''R Xmas' Is Not Your Typical Criminal Flick
R Xmas is a movie on the cusp of eras, devoid of a clear climax or conventional dramaturgy.
The film depicts a world in which evil has become normalized and ingrained in everyday life, to the point that people have forgotten how to distinguish between sins and are therefore incapable of genuine repentance.
The kidnapping of a husband is not perceived as shocking, but as an annoying obstacle amidst the pre-holiday hustle and bustle. Corruption, bribery, and drug trafficking are as much a part of their reality as decorating the Christmas tree.
Ferrara judges none of this, allowing the viewer to experience how easily evil ceases to be evil when it provides convenience and comfort.
Drea de Matteo's The Wife Is Both a Strong and Ambiguous Female Character
Ferrara himself called the film "feminine," and de Matteo's character is proof of that. She's neither a victim of circumstance nor a repentant sinner – she's the linchpin that keeps the family and the criminal enterprise afloat.
She acts rationally within the confines of the amoral system she has long accepted as the norm and her strength lies not in fighting evil but in her ability to function effectively within it.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of ''R Xmas'?
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'R Xmas has 62% from critics and 44% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.7/10.
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On Letterboxd, 'R Xmas scored 3.4/5.0.
Where to Watch ''R Xmas'?
'R Xmas is available to stream on Plex and Tubi.
