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| 12/1/2003 |
| Bad Santa: You Won't Shit right for a Week |
A Movie Review
by Wes Bennett
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If you have ever worked in a mall or any type of retail store between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, you begin to see Christmas as simply a massive marketing scheme in which corporations attempt to pull in huge amounts of profit. You grow to resent the masses of people who drift in and out of the store, along with the fake, overly enthusiastic Christmas cheer that is rammed down everyone’s
throat. By taking the point of view of someone who hates those aspects of the holidays, “Bad Santa” is extremely refreshing and real.
Thornton plays Willie T. Stokes, an ill-tempered, drunk safecracker who partially rouses himself from his intoxicated stupor every December to put on a raggedy Santa suit, get hired at a mall, and rob their safe. The brains on these jobs is Marcus (Tony Cox), a dwarf who offers himself as an elf in a package deal.
Their latest adventure finds them in Phoenix, under the careful watch of the overly anxious and insecure manager (John Ritter). Complications arise from the presence of an astute store detective (Bernie Mac) who’s onto their act and an oblivious fat kid (Brett Kelly) who insists on believing that Willie is the real Santa Claus.
The movie has a masterful sense of how to involve the audience. I was riveted for the entire film and was literally crying from laughing so hard at one point during the groin kicking scene. This has only happened on a handful of occasions such as the tranquilizer scene from “Old School” or the openings of the first “Austin Powers” and “Ace Ventura” films.
Terry Zwigoff (“Ghost World”) has made a specialty of focusing on bitter, antisocial characters with antisocial tendencies, who have
mostly been ignored in mainstream films. That being said, “Santa” is a pretty gutsy movie, that takes a lot of chances for a mainstream comedy.
The film belongs to Thorton. He has always been extremely talented as shown by his work in “Sling Blade”, “A Simple Plan” and “Monster’s Ball,” but we didn’t know the extent of his comedic talents. The genius in the performance is that underneath Thorton’s disgusted and self-loathing exterior, he still feels pity and remorse. There is something very real about him that we can identify with, on some level, because he is so genuine and honest.
Tony Cox (“Friday”), was brilliant as Willie’s ill-tempered partner. His performance arguably surpasses Verne Troyer as the greatest ever by a midget. Brett Kelly as the innocent and sweet Thurman, provides an effective foil for Thorton’s hatred. The late John Ritter is great as the store manager who cannot believe he has hired a drinking, smoking, foul mouthed Santa. Ritter seems to be in near physical pain as he attempts to explain Willie's latest embarrassment.
Although there is a ton of profanity, drinking and vomiting, it all seemed to work. Nothing, as opposed to “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” was in there just to be excessive or to shock. Everything had a place, a point and a purpose to it. That’s why despite all the envelope pushing, it did not feel offensive.
Overall “Santa” stands as one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. Only time will tell, but I’m confident that this will become a repeat-viewing film on the same level as the comedy classics “Office Space” or “Happy Gilmore.” |
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| "We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it." |
- Jack Nicholson
A Few Good Men
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Distributed Beers
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| 5 |
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot |
| 4 |
Guinness Draught |
| 3 |
Newcastle Brown Ale |
| 2 |
Bass Pale Ale |
| 1 |
Samuel Adams Boston Lager |
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