By ADAM P. BARR

Staff Writer

Get ready for unanswered questions and an appreciation for family in Ben Affleck's latest role as an eccentric millionaire in "Surviving Christmas."

Along with Affleck, actors include James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara and Christina Applegate as a star-studded ensemble for this extremely early holiday movie.

Turned down and broken up with, Drew Latham's (Affleck) non-family oriented attempts to not be alone on Christmas backfire and leave him in solitude for the cherished family holidays.

Advised by his ex-girlfriend's psychiatrist, Latham ends up at the front door of his childhood home, which happens to be the home of the Valcos, played by Applegate, Gandolfini and O'Hara.

Gandolfini remains an imposing figure and still hits on his Italian appetite paraded on HBO's hit "Sopranos," with salami, but acquires a heart of gold.

The self-actuated role Alicia Valco (Applegate) is an example of the modern woman who is impressed by sentiment versus gaud. Christine Valco (O'Hara) is the typical over-stressed housewife who feels unappreciated.

O'Hara remains the assertive wife, but unlike her role as Kevin's mom in "Home Alone," does not lose a child in this holiday film.

"Surviving Christmas" is a good movie but leaves unanswered questions.

Affleck's character, though played well, shouldn't be looking for awards in this blunder of half-hearted holiday joy film.

Affleck's role decisions remain hit and miss with great movies like, "The Sum of All Fears," and bombs like "Gigli."

The cinematography of the film is general with car ride scenes and your run-of-the-mill in-house camera angels.

Holiday movie stories are running thin on spin and should take another look before settling so quickly on Christmas plots.

Overall this film is good, but not the best we have seen from any of the actors.