Film #12: Scrooged
Reviewed on Dec 17, 2011
Today we will be reviewing the classic Christmas film, Scrooged. The film stars a host of talented people: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Alfre Woodard, Carol Kane, John Forsythe, Bobcat Goldthwait, John Houseman, Robert Mitchum, and John Glover. It was directed by Richard Donner, a 1988project favorite for “The Goonies”, “Lethal Weapon” “The Toy”, “Nightmare at 20,000 ft”, and “Superman”.) It was written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O’Donoghue (known for his no holds barred writing reign over SNL…he refused to write for the Muppets on the show saying “I don’t write for felt”)…It was composed by another 1988 film favorite Danny Elfman.
The Plot:A modernized version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. TV executive Frank Cross (Murray)attempts to cut corners and spare no feelings in order to put on a live Christmas television special of “A Christmas Carol”. (starring a drunk Buddy Hackett, Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim, and John Houseman). In the world of Frank Cross. everyone is usable and disposable , including staff, production assistants, his secretary(Woodard), the network President (Mitchum), his ex girlfriend Claire (Allen), his brother James, and the “mice-reindeer” which he orders to have antlers stapled to their heads. He takes joy in firing dissenters, intimidating his staff, and living his life on his terms. This is made clear by the “in your face” ad he produces for the television show. He is the modern Ebeneezer Scrooge. His entire persona is summed up in the sign behind his desk, “Cross: A thing they nail people to”. As in the original Dickens’ story, Cross is visited by his old partner, in this case Network President Lew Hayward(Forsythe). (He comes dressed as he died, on the golf course..and there is some wonderful make-up work in his scene, especially when mice that have moved into his body start pushing golf balls out of him). Hayward warns Cross that he’d better change his life. The rest of the film finds Cross navigating through his quickly sinking television show (the network censor, the obsession with the Network President(Mitchum) in making the broadcast more animal friendly to gain their viewership, the arrival of a rival for his job (Glover), and falling sets) while being visited by the 3 spirits who force him to examine his life.The Ghost of Christmas Present is played to perfection by the always amazing Carol Kane as a sado-masochisitic “Glinda”. “I like the rough stuff don’t you know” Due to his visions, he also attempts to make things right with his ex girlfriend Claire who manages a soup kitchen. We learn from the Ghost of Christmas Past that she was one of the first casualties on his road to the top. The film is littered with an imaginative cast of characters that allow Cross to find redemption; his “timid” and unemployed/revenge seeking executive Elliot (Goldthwaith), his patient yet frustrated assistant Grace (Woodard) and her non speaking son Calvin(the Tiny Tim of our film), his ignored brother James, two homeless men who believe that Cross is Richard Burton (a scene very similar to Murray’s”Groundhog Day” in which he tries to save the homeless man occurs in the heating pipes), and hey…isn’t that waiter, Socrates from Bill and Ted’s? Will Cross find redemption? Will he lose his job?Will Elliot show up with a shotgun and help Cross take over the studio? These questions and more will be answered when you spend the holidays watching “Scrooged”.
The Review:
I know it may come as a surprise, but I LOVE this movie. This film has everything…drama, dark comedy, romance, and Buddy Hackett. I was reading the original articles from 1988 to examine the background and I learned several things. First, I learned that critics hated this film (they were pretty brutal). Secondly, I learned that the writers of the film are not proud of the final product. (also brutal). As I read these articles I got a little defensive because this movie is a Christmas tradition at my house and has been since my brother and I first saw it on HBO. Also, I feel vindicated in my love by that fact that this movie was a box office hit and a cult classic. Take that reviewers! The articles especially ridiculed the end sequence where Murray finds his soul saying that it was sentimental hogwash, that it was ‘typical” Murray muddling his way through drama. Well, won’t they be wrong in a future of “Ed Wood” “Lost in Translation”"The Life Aquatic”, etc. For me this movie is one of the greatest interpretations of a classic piece of literature. It has all of the needed elements of “Christmas Carol”; the hard-hearted miser, the put upon assistant, the fragile child who makes a turn around, the beggars, the death of love (only in this version Scrooge has a 2nd chance), the 3 spirits, the message of goodness and charity, and Christmas decorations. The thing that makes the film so engaging is the storytelling. I mean, while putting on “A Christmas Carol”, Frank Cross is living “A Christmas Carol”…woh, wait a minute! I just realized that “Scrooged” is the comedic sister of “Black Swan” (horrific hallucinations, the stress to perform, a individual’s rise to the top by sacrificing everything around them, living in your production…ripping your finger off versus getting hit in the face by a toaster) Mind blowing! You know I am a sucker for casting and I think this movie is filled with some of the greatest talent the business had to offer.Each character we meet enhances the piece. I think that is the best sign of a great movie, when you cannot subtract any of the characters without compromising the film. Carol Kane is at her Carol Kane best with her twinkling eyes and “I will kill you” glee. John Glover is at his John Glover best with his slimy but smiley Brice. His subtle gestures of destruction of his rival are top-notch (wiping off dandruff from Frank’s shoulders while chit chatting). Even an appearance by Brian Doyle Murray as Frank’s dad is comedic gold. After bringing his son cuts of meat for Christmas instead of a choo choo he says”All day long, I listen to people give me excuses why they can’t work… ‘My back hurts,’ ‘my legs ache,’ ‘I’m only four!’”. I am sorry critics, but I think Bill Murray is at the top of his game when he mixing black comedy with his hounddog facial expressions and biting sarcasm. Bill Murray is great because he is not an over the top comedian. He is great because his eyes tell you all you need to know about his character. joy, sadness, mischief..it has always been there in Murray’s eyes movie to movie. So many great moments, from the Trivial Pursuit game to Elliot at the blood bank to Murray’s visions of his past “It’s a bone you lucky dog!” This is a Christmas classic that should be under your tree! Some critics of that time pointed out that it was filled with the comflict of values that came with the 1988 election that year, unlimited wealth and power vs doing good for your fellow man. With its screwball comedy direction and haunting Danny Elfman score (children’s choruses…genius).Put a little love in your heart and watch Scrooged.
9 out of 10
Rated PG 13
Here is a link from the Deseret News that says Ernest Saved Christmas was better than Scrooged
A New York Times piece on the return of SNL alumnus to 1988 movies
The Plot:A modernized version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. TV executive Frank Cross (Murray)attempts to cut corners and spare no feelings in order to put on a live Christmas television special of “A Christmas Carol”. (starring a drunk Buddy Hackett, Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim, and John Houseman). In the world of Frank Cross. everyone is usable and disposable , including staff, production assistants, his secretary(Woodard), the network President (Mitchum), his ex girlfriend Claire (Allen), his brother James, and the “mice-reindeer” which he orders to have antlers stapled to their heads. He takes joy in firing dissenters, intimidating his staff, and living his life on his terms. This is made clear by the “in your face” ad he produces for the television show. He is the modern Ebeneezer Scrooge. His entire persona is summed up in the sign behind his desk, “Cross: A thing they nail people to”. As in the original Dickens’ story, Cross is visited by his old partner, in this case Network President Lew Hayward(Forsythe). (He comes dressed as he died, on the golf course..and there is some wonderful make-up work in his scene, especially when mice that have moved into his body start pushing golf balls out of him). Hayward warns Cross that he’d better change his life. The rest of the film finds Cross navigating through his quickly sinking television show (the network censor, the obsession with the Network President(Mitchum) in making the broadcast more animal friendly to gain their viewership, the arrival of a rival for his job (Glover), and falling sets) while being visited by the 3 spirits who force him to examine his life.The Ghost of Christmas Present is played to perfection by the always amazing Carol Kane as a sado-masochisitic “Glinda”. “I like the rough stuff don’t you know” Due to his visions, he also attempts to make things right with his ex girlfriend Claire who manages a soup kitchen. We learn from the Ghost of Christmas Past that she was one of the first casualties on his road to the top. The film is littered with an imaginative cast of characters that allow Cross to find redemption; his “timid” and unemployed/revenge seeking executive Elliot (Goldthwaith), his patient yet frustrated assistant Grace (Woodard) and her non speaking son Calvin(the Tiny Tim of our film), his ignored brother James, two homeless men who believe that Cross is Richard Burton (a scene very similar to Murray’s”Groundhog Day” in which he tries to save the homeless man occurs in the heating pipes), and hey…isn’t that waiter, Socrates from Bill and Ted’s? Will Cross find redemption? Will he lose his job?Will Elliot show up with a shotgun and help Cross take over the studio? These questions and more will be answered when you spend the holidays watching “Scrooged”.
The Review:
I know it may come as a surprise, but I LOVE this movie. This film has everything…drama, dark comedy, romance, and Buddy Hackett. I was reading the original articles from 1988 to examine the background and I learned several things. First, I learned that critics hated this film (they were pretty brutal). Secondly, I learned that the writers of the film are not proud of the final product. (also brutal). As I read these articles I got a little defensive because this movie is a Christmas tradition at my house and has been since my brother and I first saw it on HBO. Also, I feel vindicated in my love by that fact that this movie was a box office hit and a cult classic. Take that reviewers! The articles especially ridiculed the end sequence where Murray finds his soul saying that it was sentimental hogwash, that it was ‘typical” Murray muddling his way through drama. Well, won’t they be wrong in a future of “Ed Wood” “Lost in Translation”"The Life Aquatic”, etc. For me this movie is one of the greatest interpretations of a classic piece of literature. It has all of the needed elements of “Christmas Carol”; the hard-hearted miser, the put upon assistant, the fragile child who makes a turn around, the beggars, the death of love (only in this version Scrooge has a 2nd chance), the 3 spirits, the message of goodness and charity, and Christmas decorations. The thing that makes the film so engaging is the storytelling. I mean, while putting on “A Christmas Carol”, Frank Cross is living “A Christmas Carol”…woh, wait a minute! I just realized that “Scrooged” is the comedic sister of “Black Swan” (horrific hallucinations, the stress to perform, a individual’s rise to the top by sacrificing everything around them, living in your production…ripping your finger off versus getting hit in the face by a toaster) Mind blowing! You know I am a sucker for casting and I think this movie is filled with some of the greatest talent the business had to offer.Each character we meet enhances the piece. I think that is the best sign of a great movie, when you cannot subtract any of the characters without compromising the film. Carol Kane is at her Carol Kane best with her twinkling eyes and “I will kill you” glee. John Glover is at his John Glover best with his slimy but smiley Brice. His subtle gestures of destruction of his rival are top-notch (wiping off dandruff from Frank’s shoulders while chit chatting). Even an appearance by Brian Doyle Murray as Frank’s dad is comedic gold. After bringing his son cuts of meat for Christmas instead of a choo choo he says”All day long, I listen to people give me excuses why they can’t work… ‘My back hurts,’ ‘my legs ache,’ ‘I’m only four!’”. I am sorry critics, but I think Bill Murray is at the top of his game when he mixing black comedy with his hounddog facial expressions and biting sarcasm. Bill Murray is great because he is not an over the top comedian. He is great because his eyes tell you all you need to know about his character. joy, sadness, mischief..it has always been there in Murray’s eyes movie to movie. So many great moments, from the Trivial Pursuit game to Elliot at the blood bank to Murray’s visions of his past “It’s a bone you lucky dog!” This is a Christmas classic that should be under your tree! Some critics of that time pointed out that it was filled with the comflict of values that came with the 1988 election that year, unlimited wealth and power vs doing good for your fellow man. With its screwball comedy direction and haunting Danny Elfman score (children’s choruses…genius).Put a little love in your heart and watch Scrooged.
9 out of 10
Rated PG 13
Here is a link from the Deseret News that says Ernest Saved Christmas was better than Scrooged
A New York Times piece on the return of SNL alumnus to 1988 movies