Weekly Newsletter brings you the crème de la crème of The Saturday Evening Post right to your inbox. One of the highlights is the movie "Nutcrackers" which runs for 1 hour 44 minutes. It's a story that combines Christmas, orphans dancing, and a hard-driving businessman finding love through a child.

Discover the Magic of Nutcrackers and Its Heartwarming Tale

Michael's Journey as a Surrogate Parent

Ben Stiller plays Michael, a Chicago real estate developer. His sister and brother-in-law in rural Ohio suddenly pass away, leaving behind four young boys. The boys' initial appearance is quite worrisome as they live among pigs and chickens and seem to be auditioning for "Lord of the Flies". Michael expects to just sign some foster home papers but is shocked to learn he now has legal custody and is responsible for his sister's debts. Despite his busy life and self-absorbed nature, he rolls up his sleeves and starts parenting, although it's a crash course filled with disasters.The scenes like Michael falling in the mud while chasing a chicken and home schooling the boys in sex education are both comical and show his efforts. His young cast, the actual siblings Homer, Ulysses, Atlas, and Arlo Janson, do an admirable job of making us initially dislike their characters and then winning us over.

The Role of Linda Cardellini

Linda Cardellini plays a local case worker. She has a warm, encouraging smile and gives Michael the big surprise of him becoming the boys' guardian. She goes full-bore like Margot Kidder, providing a stern word when needed. Her character helps soften Michael's attitude and is crucial in the story.

The Director's Touch

Director David Gordon Green, known for his horror movie sequels, seems an odd choice for a heartfelt holiday movie. But his instinctive edginess navigates the fine line between sentiment and mayhem created by writer Leland Douglas. He and Douglas occasionally have Cardellini's character remind Michael and us of the four children at the heart of the story.During the first parentless holiday, Michael agrees to help the boys stage a community production of "The Nutcracker" planned by their mom. Things go comically wrong, but the Christmas setting and sentimental storyline lead to an ending that softens even the steeliest hearts.Few will watch "Nutcrackers" wondering about Michael's future with the orphans. It's a hard knock life, but there's always hope for a better tomorrow.