In the classic Charles Dickens story “A Christmas Carol,” Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. The ghosts show Scrooge the error of his ways and he is transformed into a kind and generous man. In the 1988 film “Scrooged,” Bill Murray plays the role of Frank Cross, a television executive who is just as mean and selfish as Scrooge. Cross is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve and he is also transformed into a better person. But “Scrooged” is not just a remake of “A Christmas Carol.” It is also a sometimes funny satire of the television industry.
Review by Ben Dover:
Rating: 2.5/5 Martinis (Because that’s what I needed to get through this)
Look, I’ve been reviewing movies since before Bill Murray had gray hair, and I’ve seen “A Christmas Carol” adapted more times than I’ve had hot dinners. But 1988’s “Scrooged” really takes the fruitcake when it comes to missing the point of Dickens’ classic tale.
Murray plays Frank Cross, a TV executive who’s about as warm and cuddly as my ex-wife’s lawyer. The movie tries to modernize the Scrooge story by setting it in the cutthroat world of television, which is about as original as reheating leftover turkey. Murray, who I usually enjoy more than my morning bourbon, seems to be doing his “Ghostbusters” schtick minus the charm. It’s like watching your uncle try to be cool at a Christmas party – painful, but you can’t look away.
The special effects look like they were done by the same folks who make those cheap commercials for local furniture stores. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a cab driver who probably learned his trade in New York City, given how violently he drives through Frank’s memories. The Ghost of Christmas Present is Carol Kane, who beats Murray senseless with various household objects this was my personal favorite thing to happen in this turkey. Very festive. Just what Dickens had in mind, I’m sure.
Now, I’ll admit there are moments where this turkey actually takes flight. Murray has a few scenes where he reminds us why he’s Bill Murray and not some hack from a sitcom. And Karen Allen (who I had a crush on since Raiders of the Lost Ark – don’t tell my wife) brings some actual heart to this cynical cash grab. But these moments are rarer than a quiet teenager at the mall. I feel bad because I know that I wasn’t supposed to be rooting for Bobcat, but I was.
The finale, where Murray’s character has his big emotional breakthrough, goes on longer than a DMV line. He literally breaks the fourth wall and starts preaching to the audience about the spirit of Christmas. Kid, I get my sermons at church, not from a guy who made “Meatballs.”
The movie’s message about the soulless nature of television is about as subtle as a punch in the face from the Ghost of Christmas Present (which actually happens in the film – several times). It’s like being lectured about healthy eating by Ronald McDonald.
The music is great though save one horrible cover that awful cover of “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” that plays at the end. It’s the kind of song that makes you wish the Ghost of Christmas Future would take you right then and there. I really hated the talking to the audience though as it was just stupid on streaming. The film features a number of classic Christmas songs, as well as some original compositions by Danny Elfman.
Bottom line: Is “Scrooged” the worst Christmas movie ever made? No, that honor still belongs to “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” Is it worth watching? Maybe after a few eggnogs, or if you’re stuck at your in-laws’ house and the remote is broken. Murray saves it from being a complete disaster, but just barely.
At least it’s better than those Hallmark Christmas movies my wife watches. Those things are scarier than any ghost Charles Dickens ever dreamed up.
Fun Fact: The budget for this movie was $32 million – apparently, most of it went to Murray’s salary and whatever they were smoking when they wrote the script.
Cast:
- Bill Murray as Frank Cross
- Karen Allen as Claire Randall
- Bob Hoskins as Harry Henshaw
- Alfre Woodard as Rachel Jacobs
- Paul Gleason as Brice Hallstrom
- Carol Kane as Carol Kane
- Robert Mitchum as Mr. Potter
- John Forsythe as The Ghost of Christmas Past
- David Johansen as The Ghost of Christmas Present
- Angela Lansbury as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Memorable Quote:
“The bitch hit me with a toaster.” – Frank Cross, speaking what we’re all thinking about Carol Kane’s violent Christmas spirit.
5 More Famous Quotes from “Scrooged”
- “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just misunderstood.” – Frank Cross
- “You’re a mean old Scrooge, Frank Cross.” – The Ghost of Christmas Past
- “You’re a selfish, greedy, miserable old man.” – The Ghost of Christmas Present
- “You’re dead, Frank Cross. You’re dead!” – The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
- “I’m a changed man, Bob. I’m a changed man!” – Frank Cross
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go yell at some kids to get off my lawn.
Cast
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
Frank Cross is a mean and selfish television executive. He is so obsessed with getting ratings that he doesn’t care about anything else. On Christmas Eve, Cross is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The ghosts show Cross the error of his ways and he is transformed into a kind and generous man.
5 Famous Quotes from “Scrooged”
- “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just misunderstood.” – Frank Cross
- “You’re a mean old Scrooge, Frank Cross.” – The Ghost of Christmas Past
- “You’re a selfish, greedy, miserable old man.” – The Ghost of Christmas Present
- “You’re dead, Frank Cross. You’re dead!” – The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
- “I’m a changed man, Bob. I’m a changed man!” – Frank Cross
5 Interesting Facts about “Scrooged”
- The film was originally going to be called “The Christmas Spirit.”
- Bill Murray was not the first choice to play Frank Cross. The role was originally offered to Michael Keaton.
- The film was a box office success, grossing over $60 million.
- “Scrooged” was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.
- The film has become a cult classic and is enjoyed by many people today, just not me.
Review Notes:
I would rather be watching “The Night the Reindeer Died”
Father Loves Beaver (OK not cool, funny, but not cool)
Boy Bobcats voice gives him away instantly although he looks quite nondescript.
I do kind of love diabolical Bill Murray, would be a better movie if he stayed that way.
Charles Dickens would want to see her nipples (So 1988)
This cab ride is going to give me a conniption fit.
Is it wrong that I really kind of want Bobcat to kill Bill Murray
Trailer: