What does a $US36 million ($48.5 million) budget, an all star cast led by Will Smith and Helen Mirren, a screenplay with its eyes squarely on Oscar voters, and a holiday release right in the middle of awards season get you?

Well, a Christmas turkey and widespread mockery among the critical community, judging by the reaction to the film, Collateral Beauty.

Reviews have been particularly harsh for Smith's new Oscar bait flick, a film that was expected to be in the running come awards season thanks to its teary plotline, which sees Smith playing an advertising exec struggling to cope with the loss of his young daughter.

"An all-star cast submits to flagrant actor abuse in Collateral Beauty, which is every bit as lame as its title," wrote Dan Callahan of The Wrap.