Film Review – The Merchants of Joy

The holiday season. For some, it’s a time of magic and human connection. It’s a chance to spend time with thoughts and feelings, reflecting on the year and its challenges. It’s also a period of great celebration for many, as revelers look to kick off the blues and devour all the treasures that arrive. For the “Five Families of Christmas,” November and December represents a period when they can make a small fortune selling Christmas trees to the people of New York City. “The Merchants of Joy” is based on two magazine articles written by Owen Long, with director Celia Aniskovich (“Call Me Miss Cleo,” “Fruitcake Fraud”) setting out to follow the yearly rituals and power plays of the people involved in this niche business. As a study of organization and commerce, “The Merchants of Joy” is an intermittently fascinating examination of unexpected anxieties and competition. As an offering of seasonal warmth and inspiration, Aniskovich fumbles the good vibes of the documentary, offering too much time with abrasive personalities. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com