In the 2024 Toronto Film Festival, Ben Stiller brings his comedic expertise to the big screen with the feel-good holiday film, "Nutcracker." This uplifting comedy elicits laughter, tears, and a profound sense of well-being, making it an enjoyable experience for audiences of all ages.

 During a period when family films are scarce, "Nutcracker" fills the void with a heartwarming story. The film revolves around a grumpy individual who reluctantly finds himself responsible for supervising a group of charming children. These children are not actors, but rather members of a real-life family that director David Gordon Green met during a visit to an old acquaintance's farm in rural Ohio. This unique quartet of boys so captivated Green that he conceived the idea to shoot the film on their farm, complete with an array of animals including pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and chipmunks.

 The end result is a Christmas movie that evokes the charm of classics like "Home Alone." The premise of the film centers around Stiller, a single Chicago businessman whose life takes an unexpected turn when tragedy strikes. His sister and her husband pass away, leaving their four children orphaned.

Uncle Mike, preparing for a significant presentation, entrusts his estranged sister's children to his care. The children, portrayed by Homer (13), Ulysses (10), and 8-year-old twins Atlas and Arlo Janson, are rambunctious boys raised in a non-traditional manner. They are quite savvy, in contrast to Uncle Mike, who is not accustomed to city life. There are moments of humor, especially when Uncle Mike attempts to educate the children about reproduction.

 Despite its comedic elements, "Nutcracker" is ultimately a joyful film that tugs at the heartstrings, reminding audiences of the importance of family and the healing power of love.