3 of 3

Write now Article Tools

In this modern adaptation to "A Christmas Carol", Bill Murray plays the Ebenezer-esque Frank Cross, a selfish TV executive who somehow lost his humanity in the pursuit of his ambition.

After we're introduced to how heartless he's truly become - like unceremoniously firing milquetoast Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwaite) - Frank is visited by his dead idol, Lew, played rather ghoulishly by John Forsythe. Lew informs him that the time has come to reckon for his evil ways.

He tells his rather freaked out protege that he will be visited by three ghosts. Although this is a pretty unbelievable pill to swallow, the three ghosts indeed arrive as predicted and proceed to take Frank on the ride of his life, starting with a musty dusty cab ride right to Frank's past.

Like the tale on which it was based, "Scrooged" tackles the tricky territory of karma; showing what goes around really does come around. But this modern take on the classic manages to coat this pill with a lot of hilarity, thanks in part to the comic genius of Bill Murray.

Especially when Carol Kane enters the scene as the Ghost of Christmas Present, physical humor balances quite nicely the true wit with which the story is told.

Ultimately, however, it is a Christmas story at heart; a story of redemption and new beginnings - where anything is possible. Even turning a crusty, cynical tyrant into a new improved of his former "Lumpy" self, thanks to the romantic sub-plot revolving around Claire (Karen Allen) and the story of the mute son of Frank's receptionist, Grace (Alfre Woodard).

This is what makes "Scrooged" a holiday classic. Director Richard Donner balances this universal message along with some barrel laughs along the way, with true respect for the source material insofar as including the classic tale told in parallel with Frank's own journey. By the end, you'll be singing along with the cast in a rousing rendition of "Put a Little Love in Your Heart", and you cannot help but feel a little bit better yourself.

Familiar but different, you'll want to put this in your queue of "must see" movies every single Christmas.

A+

Learn more about this author, Ginger Voight.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: Scrooged?
We want to hear your view. Write now!