A cynical, selfish TV executive is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.
COMEDY/FANTASY
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Scrooged (1988)Directed by Richard Donner
Written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O'Donoghue Starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait, John Glover, Robert Mitchum, Alfre Woodard, John Forsythe, David Johansen, Carol Kane Based on the novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Oscar Nominations - Best Makeup |
Bill Murray is one of my favorite actors and being a child of the 80's and 90's, he was everywhere. He is a versatile actor and a master comedian. What he wasn't known for then was being able to inject heart into his performances and that is what you get in Richard Donner's version of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Frank Cross is the perfect 80's reincarnation of Ebenezer Scrooge: crass, selfish, and lacking any empathy whatsoever. In other words, a sociopath or a successful CEO of a cable company.
The set up is handled quite nicely and flirts the line with straight horror and I remember the Grim Reaper scaring the shit out of me as a kid. Terror and laughs are balanced well throughout once the supernatural elements kick in. At first, Frank is very resolute that he won't be turned by what he sees on this night. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Johansen) assures him it'll be Niagara Falls by the end of the night. There are clever transitions between each visitation adding a little creative flair to the proceedings. As I mentioned earlier, Bill Murray shines in showing the tough veneer crack and eventually crumble when Frank is confronted with his fate. This could have been a terrible, paint by numbers retelling of a time honored classic but it is handled with care and uses Dickens's story as a frame and creates its own treasure. I will always enjoy this over rewatching the same Victorian morality tale repackaged for a new generation. Richard Donner nailed it and Bill Murray added another classic to his resume. Get your six pack of Tab on ice and tuck in for my favorite Christmas Carol. |
Scrooged is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Bill Murray is an hilarious man and he makes this movie absolutely wonderful. I love movies that take a classic story and tweek it a little to make something entirely new and Scrooged did just that.
Bill Murray plays cynical TV executive Frank Cross, who hates Christmas and is visited by three ghosts. Of course, we all know what's going to happen, but the journey is fun because Richard Donner's version is so unique. David Johansen and Carol Kane play the ghosts of Christmas past and present, with the ghost of Christmas future being your typical grim reaper. I like the overall wholesome message of family and friendship this film offers in the end, making it a film that can make you laugh and make you love. |