We've been treated to a handful of different Christmas Carol adaptations over the years, and for the most part they've been the same: traditional, appropriately somber and earnest, and they all end with an elderly Scrooge yelling out of his window like a lunatic to some random passing boy. And look, it's a classic for a reason, but sometimes it's nice to see an interpretation of the material that's willing to take a risk. Like, instead of having a meek Bob Cratchit who takes his medicine from Scrooge and goes home to his sad little family thoroughly emasculated, what if it was just Bobcat Goldthwait attempting the most inept office homicide ever? (Yes, technically the secretary with the mute son is the stand-in for Cratchit, but then who exactly is Bobcat supposed to be? Does he just serve as a physical representation of Bob Cratchit's id? So many questions.) It's great to see a modern take on A Christmas Carol, especially with the preternaturally snarky Bill Murray starring. Even the spirits here are delightfully twisted, especially Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present, whose sweet voice belies a surprisingly violent streak. Setting the film in our world rather than Victorian England also gives this version much-needed real world consequences to Scrooge's actions.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
