SNMR 5.27: "Scrooged"

For this week, we'll be reviewing two Christmas-y themed movies here at SNMR in the spirit of the holiday season. One movie tonight and one tomorrow night.

Therefore, tonight's first SNMR feature of the weekend is "Scrooged" (1988, PG-13, 100 minutes), starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Alfre Woodard, John Forsythe and David Johansen. The film was directed by Richard Donner.

PLOT SUMMARY: Television executive Frank Cross (Murray) hates Christmas and everything to do with it. It's Christmas Eve and his network is performing a live version of 'A Christmas Carol'. It just so happens that Cross is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Lew (Forsythe) and three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas past (Johansen), present (Kane) and future. Through this redemptive process, Frank discovers his chance at living a meaningful life is not wasted.

MY OPINION: This offbeat take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" certainly has it's moments. Murray is excellent in the role of Scrooge. Karen Allen is very believable as his long lost love. Three actors steal the movie for me: David Johansen and Carol Kane as the ghosts of Christmas past and present. I also thought Bobcat Goldthwait was excellent in his limited scenes. The rest of the supporting cast are good as well, with a lot of cameos by other well known stars, such as '84 Olympic sweetheart Mary Lou Retton, Buddy Hackett, John Houseman and others.

It's hard for me to believe that this film was released 20 years ago. Even though it will never top more serious versions of this classic story, it's still a good rent or even to add to your DVD collection. I found my copy of this movie in the $5 DVD bin.

I would love to see this film re-released on DVD with some special features like interviews with the cast and their takes on the classic story and their roles in this version.

*** out of *****