ironhorse_iv
Over the years, there has been many different variations & renditions on English author, Charles Dicken's 1843's novel; 'A Christmas Carol' story, through film. Yet, there hasn't been many adapted movies that sway too far for the source material. That was, until 1988's 'Scrooged'. Not only did it modernization, the settling of the Christmas Carol-like scenario with a different set of time, characters & locations, but it also, in universe, make fun of premise of loosely adapting the novel, by having a cynical, selfish TV executive, Frank Cross (Bill Murray) go through the ghostly visits, while also planning a live adaptation of the book for his network. Because of that, I can say, this black comedy directed by Richard Donner is unique enough to stand on its own; as much of the humor here is focuses on the shallowness, greed, and sensation of commercial television, when it comes to the holidays. However, the strange, mood-swingy blend of mistletoe jokes with that, satirical trash television doesn't really mesh that well, together. Much of that, come from the fact that actor, Bill Murray and director Richard Donner reportedly did not enjoy working together, creating a lot of tension on set. It shows in their work. Murray still depress over the failure of 1984's 'The Razor's Edge' gave a stagnant somewhat rusty detached performance as penny-pinching TV producer, Frank Cross (Bill Murray), as he never really wanted to return to comedy after four years away from the business. Because of that, along with Murray penchant for unwanted improvisation, taking real physical abuse by actress, Carol Kane, including injuries & oddly time, mood swings, which Donner wasn't keen on, a lot of footage ended up on the cutting room floor; making the film look very sloppy & uneven in certain parts. All this detached anger & mean-spirited by both men, never truly make it seem like Cross change into a decent person, by the end of the film. Instead, the climax come across as a little too unpleasant/cynical and not enough joyful. Most of the themes of the film doesn't even seem focus on moral redemption, at Christmas, at all. I felt that the film written by Mitch Glazer and Michael O'Donoghue was a little too unfocused, spending too much time on a competitor subplot with Bryce Cummings (John Glover) & a murderous ex-employee, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait) that rarely affects the main plot. Another thing, the writing was a little heavy-hand on, showing the subliminal political/humanitarian reference to Apartheid controversy. It wasn't really needed. Another, preachy choice was showing the hypocritical when it comes to regulate violence & sexual content, with slapstick humor, & cartoony action. Because the focus was spent on that, it left little to the redemption parts. It really did seem those sequences got the short stick. Because of that, songs like 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart' perform by Annie Lennox & Al Green and written by Jackie DeShannon, Randy Myers & Jimmy Holiday seem to come, out of nowhere & seems oddly used. Nevertheless, the rest of the music choices, were alright for the most part. However, composer, Danny Elfman's score, does come across as jarring, because the fact, that he recycled parts of the tune for later films such as 1992's 'Batman Returns' & 1993's 'Nightmare Before Christmas'. As for visual & special effects, most of the effects, really does hold on, over the years. Even the makeup & puppet work for this film is still impressive. However, they did go, a little overboard at parts like Lew Hayward (John Forsythe) trying to kill Frank, by tossing him, off a building, rather than warning him about the three spirits. Nevertheless, regardless, the way, the movie was shot with the help from cinematographer, Michael Chapman was well-handle. There were parts of the film, where the spirits really did look like they were, about to jump out of the screen. As for the supporting cast that played those spirits; I also believe that they were good in their limited roles. Both, Carol Kane & David Johansen as the Ghost of Christmas Past & Present were wonderful. Even some of the acting in the non-supernatural roles, were fine, such as Karen Allen as Frank's love interest, Claire Phillips & Alfre Woodard as Grace Coolney, an employee for Frank. Even the cameos from Bill Murray's brothers, John, Joel and Brian were fine for the most part. As for the celebs cameos, such as Mary Lou Retton, Lee Majors, Paul Shaffer and others. They were also, nice to see. In the end, they all did their parts. Overall: I can't say, that this film is worth being a stocking stuffer. Don't get me wrong, it's watchable, but I seem better, holiday movies from Bill Murray, such as 1993's 'Groundhog Day'. In the end, like a blizzard on Christmas. It's a little too cold to play. Check other films, out.
ericventura
Scrooged, born of the unimaginative minds of untalented producers, attempts to render a classic into a modern adaptation (for originality). Clearly setting up a parallel between the classic story and the movie's story, the development is not lost on the viewer and could have been admirable, if it were not so obvious and actually contributed to the overall product. However, soon after the first minutes of the movie, the supposed ingenuity was lost and replaced with the typical, formulaic comedy movie starring a bumbling businessman, a hopeless love, and the newly recruited executive. While there are a few elicited laughs, the comedy is speckled with monologues, hopelessness, and anger, turning a Murray comedy into a drama. Maybe Donner was shooting for something like Fargo (1996), except that he forgot how to make a film, instead using the wrong movie mold straight off the shelf. The acting is typical of your typical comedy: typical, reminiscent of Happy Gilmore (1996). Everything was typical, possibly excluding the set and artistic direction aspect with the ghost costumes and TV sets. Unfortunately, the only question this film made me ask was: Why did I watch this film? Technically, the movie attacked the morality of corrupt and greedy businessmen, offering the resolution of living a humanitarian lifestyle, but it was simply adapted from a story as well-known as the Bible. The framing of the story by the writers was decent due to its parallelism to the adapted story and well-structured flashbacks, but they seemed to have forgotten their knock-knock joke book at home when they wrote the script. At least, Murray helped a bit with his classic improvisations. Should anyone watch this movie the day after they watched it the first time, it would be a completely new experience because they won't be able to remember anything of this unmemorable movie. Scrooge could remember his humanity, but Scrooged won't be remembered at all.
Prismark10
Scrooged was a starring vehicle for Bill Murray who teamed up with director Richard Donner for this re-working of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.The movie is essentially a 'concept vehicle' a term in vogue at the time. A starring role for Murray, make him a high powered television executive and team him up with an action director who had success a year earlier with Lethal Weapon.Bill Murray is climbing the corporate media ladder as the ruthless, cynical, mean and heartless Frank Cross. In his office he has a sign which defines Cross. 'Something you nail people to!'For Christmas Murray has devised a multi location live television broadcast which has to be the show to watch with a strong promotional clip to publicise it which makes his fellow executives sick. However he has to contend with a rival, John Glover, there to help out but actually eyeing up his job.One night before Christmas his old television boss (John Forsythe) who has been dead for years visits him and tells him to mend his ways and informs him that he will be visited by three ghosts.They include the Ghost of Christmas past, a cigar smoking cab driver, the Ghost of Christmas Present, an angelic fairy who likes a bit of the rough stuff and certainly dishes it out, finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, a terrifying dark hooded figure who would certainly scare the kids.Each ghostly spectre takes Murray to a time and place. Such as when he was young and dorky working his way up in television and in love with Karen Allen. As time goes by he becomes obsessed with work and frustrated by Allen's do-gooder attitude.Murray actually calls on Allen when he his spooked out and finds out that she is helping out with the homeless but she stirs something in Murray who his still a Grinch.There is no Cratchit in this movie that part in effect goes to Alfre Woodard who plays Murray's secretary and Bobcat Goldthwait plays an executive whose life heads towards a downward spiral when he is dismissed by Murray.I remember the film was largely dismissed by critics when the film was released but it is rather an enjoyable reworking of Dicken;s story. Murray despite not getting on with the director pitches it just right, almost remaining lovable even though he is mean spirited. I rather enjoyed his Richard Burton impression. The film has lots of star cameos from John Houseman, Lee Majors, Jamie Farr, Anne Ramsey and Robert Mitchum as Murray's cat obsessed boss.Director Richard Donner adds plenty of social commentary with references to apartheid South Africa for example.The ending might be regarded as tad sentimental which follows the book, but once they start singing the final song even you would want to 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart.'
