Bill Murray is television executive Frank Cross, the meanest, most selfish man on Earth. He will stop at nothing to increase his network's ratings, even if it means that his staff works on Christmas Eve. It will take three spirits - the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future - to show Frank that he needs to change. With an all-star cast including Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Carol Kane, Alfre Woodard and Robert Mitchum, and a memorable musical score from Danny Elfman, Scrooged wil...
If Bill Murray's fantastic Scrooged isn't an integral part of your annual Christmas celebrations, then you're missing out.
Directed by Richard Donner, this modern-day (well, 1988) update of "A Christmas Carol" sees Murray star as Frank Cross, a cynical, cruel and hard-bitten TV executive who is betting his career on an elaborately-staged live TV adaptation of Dickens' classic story. If that all sounds a bit complicated and postmodern, it's actually a lot more fun and straightforward than that - and through some great comedy setpieces, some fantastic performances and some occasionally serious and genuinely-disturbing developments, Scrooged serves up a comedic morality tale that's got a surprising amount of bite to go along with its jet-black humour.
Murray is the standout turn, infusing Cross with just as much weary cynicism and sharp-tongued wit as the actor's other great creations over the years. There's more than a touch of Ghostbusters' Peter Venkman on display here - but this time around, the ghosts are firmly in charge. And as Cross is led through his Christmasses past, present and future, Murray's acting ability really comes to the fore, portraying a man whose icy nature is gently thawed by memories of his lost love, as well as by visions that reveal what his family, friends and colleagues really think of him.
Frank Cross' old flame is played by Karen Allen (perhaps best known as Indiana Jones' love interest in Raiders of the Lost Ark). She's not given a huge amount to do except look beautiful and act wholesome, but given that she's incredibly good at both, she's the perfect person to contrast against the grumpy Murray, gradually infusing him with a bit of love and humanity. Alfre Woodard portrays Frank's secretary, Grace, an overworked family-woman who has her own version of Tiny Tim at home: a mute son who has been traumatised by a past tragedy. And Bobcat Goldthwait (who you'll recognise as the weird-voiced misfit from the Police Academy movies) plays the movie's version of Bob Cratchit - a much-maligned deputy of Cross, called Eliot Loudermilk, who is fired on Christmas Eve and undergoes a series of humiliations that eventually drive him to attempt to kill his erstwhile employer.
Together with some wonderful extended cameos from the actors who play the ghosts (including New York Dolls lead-singer David Johansen as the wonderfully throaty, taxi-driving ghost of Christmas past), the whole thing comes together as a wonderful, dark, twisted yet hilarious fantasy - and nowhere is it darker than in the later scenes, in which the ghost of Christmas future confronts Frank with a chilling view of things to come. A very personal vision of a fiery funeral and a world in which Frank's cynicism and misery have infected his nearest and dearest is what finally convinces Cross to adopt the true spirit of Christmas, which manifests itself in a rousing finale (including a wonderful singalong) that is sure to melt even the hardest hearts.
While it might contain some elements that now seem cheesy or dated, I still think that Scrooged stands as the definitive Christmas movie - so much so that it has become a tradition in our house to watch it each and every year, in the week leading up to the big day. That it stands up to so many repeated viewings is a testament to what a funny, enjoyable, warm and positive film it is. It's a festive favourite for our family, and I highly recommend it.
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. A cold-hearted network TV president receives a stark dose of holiday spirit when three vengeful ghosts force him to re-examine his life.
Festive comedy starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a network TV president and modern day Scrooge who is always looking out for number one. One night, as Christmas approaches, he is visited by three zany ghosts including the Ghost of Christmas Past (David Johansen) and a violent Ghost of Christmas Present (Carol Kane). The cast also includes John Forsythe, Karen Allen and Miles Davis.
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