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Despite its lack of initial appeal to critics and audiences, Mixed Nuts possesses the qualities of a potential holiday classic.

In celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary, co-writer Delia Ephron shared her thoughts on its cult following with Deadline, reminiscing about the lesser-known 1994 Christmas film she co-wrote with her late sister Nora Ephron, describing it as “a great fun comedy that we wrote together” following the success of Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

“I don’t think it received favorable reviews,” she recalled. “I’m not someone who pays attention to reviews, whether they’re good or bad, so I’m not aware of what was said, but I definitely know it wasn’t a hit at first.”

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Delia Ephron remarked, “It’s strange how movies can go from being overlooked to gaining a devoted following. I revisit them and realize how much I love them. For me, it’s akin to having a child; you cherish various aspects because of the memories tied to them.”

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Directed and co-written by Nora Ephron, who passed away in 2012, Mixed Nuts tells the story of employees at a suicide-prevention hotline, Lifesavers, who discover they are being evicted from their Venice Beach office on Christmas Eve, all while a serial killer lurks in the area.

The screenplay was inspired by the 1979 French play and the 1982 film Le père Noël est une ordure (Santa Claus Is a Stinker). “We were drawn to it,” Delia Ephron stated. “It was eccentrically quirky and French, and since Nora had just directed Sleepless in Seattle, she had the creative freedom to pursue this project.”

“Our childhood was filled with Christmas traditions. We wanted to incorporate elements that resonated with us, like in You’ve Got Mail, where books were significant in our family. In this case, we had strong sentiments about Christmas. Growing up in Beverly Hills with Jewish parents, we assimilated and had a large Christmas tree alongside our Jewish customs, which made it meaningful for us.”

With a unique Venice Beach twist on the original French storyline, the sisters were eager to cast. “We were set on having Steve Martin, and that was just the start,” Delia Ephron noted.

“Once we secured Steve Martin, Adam Sandler joined, which was quite unexpected. It was a lineup of incredible comedians, and we were all thrilled. The atmosphere on set was joyful.”

The cast also included Rita Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Liev Schreiber, Anthony LaPaglia, and the late Madeline Kahn, along with cameos from Rob Reiner, Garry Shandling, Jon Stewart, Parker Posey, and a young Haley Joel Osment.

Mixed Nuts features a memorable soundtrack of Christmas songs by Carly Simon, Eartha Kitt, and The O’Jays, along with a humorous original song by Sandler. “I listen to that album during the holidays,” Delia Ephron shared, giving credit to her sister for curating the music.

Despite having all the elements of a holiday classic, the film only grossed $6.8 million after its release on December 21, 1994, a stark contrast to Sleepless in Seattle’s nearly $228 million earnings. Currently, it holds a 13% rating on the Tomatometer and a 47% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nevertheless, the film remains beloved by fans, with one reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes calling it “total insanity and GREAT fun,” while another labeled it “one of the most underrated movies.” One critic encouraged viewers to “embrace it for what it is — a silly, humorous, and absurd comedy with an incredible cast” that “will stay in your heart forever,” reflecting sentiments from this holiday season.

“I was genuinely surprised that you wanted to commemorate this anniversary,” Delia Ephron admitted. “But as people say, it’s not about the reasons behind it. You do it because you’ve fallen in love with the material and appreciate the actors’ talents; it’s a magical experience. There are so many moving parts in filmmaking, and you never know how it will resonate. However, I’m not the first person to receive a heartfelt letter about it.”

Person: Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron, Steve Martin, Adam Sandler, Rita Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Liev Schreiber, Anthony LaPaglia, Madeline Kahn, Rob Reiner, Garry Shandling, Jon Stewart, Parker Posey, Haley Joel Osment

Company Names: TriStar Pictures

Titles: Mixed Nuts, Sleepless in Seattle, Le père Noël est une ordure, You’ve Got Mail

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.