Mixed Nuts - A Movie Review

This is a Christmas Eve we’ll never forget.

Mixed Nuts is a 1994 comedy film. A crisis hotline is busy during the Christmas holidays. As they strive to maintain the holiday spirit, employees and guests try to keep their heads together on one crazy evening.

Based on its sensitive material, Mixed Nuts would not be made today. Its representation of sensitive material has garnered complaints from audiences over time. Despite this, Mixed Nuts is an underrated comedy that we can’t let slip under our noses.

The ensemble for Mixed Nuts includes a talented team of comedic actors, some in the early stages of their careers. Steve Martin is a comedic legend with his trademark wit. Martin and Rita Wilson made an excellent pair as Philip and Catherine, two crisis hotline operators. They have fun interactions and feverishly run about the office making sure everything goes right.

Actors I wasn’t expecting were Madeline Khan, Robert Klein, Anthony LaPaglia, Juliette Lewis, Rob Reiner, Liev Schreiber, and Adam Sandler. In one of Sandler’s earliest film roles, he was goofy as the rollerblading and ukulele-playing Philip. I have given Sandler more of a chance in his acting roles over time.

The ensemble worked well together and I could tell they were having fun. They shine in their respective roles. The actor's various backgrounds in comedy made for a more entertaining film.

I have only seen the late Madeline Khan in the iconic comedy Young Frankenstein. She spends most of the film stuck in an elevator. A lot goes on in this film. It’s a rollercoaster of absurdity with various subplots at play. For me, that’s one of my favorite elements, especially for a holiday film. There’s never one thing going on amidst the holidays.

As I said, Mixed Nuts does not work today regarding its themes on subjects of suicide and the representation of a transgender character. I wasn’t certain how to react and sometimes I cringed when characters made a joke. Chris (Liev Schreiber) is transgender. This character deserves a more respectful portrayal than how they were depicted in the film.

One of the film’s central challenges lies in its comedy nature which delivers into sensitive subjects that are outdated with today’s standards. Arguably, these themes are lessons on how society has changed and reflected on topics over the years.

Suicide is the film’s prominent topic as the characters work on a hotline for people who are in serious critical mental health. Characters make jokes about the situation. Mental health and suicide are not a joke!

Still, the film gives a positive depiction of crisis hotlines. If you feel that you are not safe, especially this holiday season, get in contact with a crisis hotline. Reach out for help because you always have options and somebody to listen to.

Despite this shortcoming, Nora Ephron manages to redeem Mixed Nuts through its Christmas theme and ensemble cast. Ephron's direction keeps the pace brisk and the energy high. The comedic timing of the cast, coupled with the zany plot twists, ensures that there is never a dull moment in Mixed Nuts.

Mixed Nuts is a hitting holiday film decorated with festive holiday decorations, snowy streets, and the characters attempting to salvage the true meaning of Christmas. I sat down and watched Mixed Nuts as a film and not of the outdated themes that viewers have lashed the film about. Watch it for what it is.

Mixed Nuts is no masterpiece but I was entertained by it. The film won’t be everyone’s cup of hot chocolate, but take a look at Mixed Nuts this holiday season.