Aml Ameenas MelvinThe story
About Boxing Day
A British writer who has made his name in Los Angeles proposes to his American girlfriend and brings her home to London for Christmas to meet his British-Caribbean family. Waiting for them are a formidable mother with a new boyfriend she has not mentioned, siblings with plenty to say, a big Boxing Day party, and his ex, who is now a famous singer. Aml Ameen writes, directs and stars, with Aja Naomi King, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
The CineClaus verdict
Aml Ameen writes, directs and stars as a London-born author who flies home from Los Angeles with his American fiancée to meet the family, and runs straight into his famous ex. The love triangle is the weakest part. The best of it is the family: a British-Caribbean Christmas of food, music, cards and sparring aunts, shot with real affection, with Marianne Jean-Baptiste superb as the mother.
It borrows a little too openly from Love Actually, but it has a big heart and a lot of London in it.
The family desk
Can the kids watch?
Our take: rated 12 by the BBFC (12A in cinemas) for infrequent strong language, moderate sex references and drug references. There is a comic punch-up and a food fight but nothing frightening, so it suits teenagers rather than younger children.
Content advice & accessibility
- Our age guidance
- Editorial, separate from the official 12 certificate, and never looser than it.
- Subtitles
- Check your chosen service and edition for supported tracks.
