Christmas Movies, Pt. 5

"I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite." — Buddy, "Elf"

"Well they all can't be winners!" — Willie, "Bad Santa"

Today's post is a tale of two Christmas comedies released within a few weeks of each other in 2003. One is typically merry, the other, not so much.

Bad Santa
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, and John Ritter
Synopsis: This is a dark Christmas comedy about a guy playing Santa that you wouldn't want your kids to meet. It's an off-color comedy that had its script touched up by the Coen Brothers, which adds to some of the humorous elements. Thornton plays Willie, a mall Santa who uses that gig as a cover for his real pursuit — robbing stores. He does that with the help of his partner, Marcus (Cox), a little person who poses as his holiday elf. From the word go, this film is irreverent, violent, and crass. But it's supposed to be. When it was released, it was considered a strong work. I think it's still pretty clever. But, as you might expect, it never really caught on as a Christmas classic. It features fun performances from Mac and Ritter — both of whom have since passed away. It also features Graham — who at the time was at the height of her cool mom powers on "The Gilmore Girls" — playing seriously against type as a randy bar tender. But the real comedy here comes from Thornton, in an uninhibited performance as Willie, and Brett Kelly as The Kid. They have some priceless interactions that really make the film go and add a bit of heart. As unconventional as it may be — and it certainly is for a Christmas movie — "Bad Santa" still upholds the Christmas movie tradition of playing up the importance of family.
Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content and some violence. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Elf
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel
Synopsis: When it was revealed that Ferrell was starring in a holiday comedy called "Elf" directed by Jon Favreau, no one really knew what to expect. Ferrell is a comedian whose films can sometimes be a little blue, and Favreau was best known at the time for "Swingers." But "Elf" turned out to be a hilarious, warm-hearted, saccharine sweet holiday comedy. And, nearly 10 years later, it's a go-to Christmas comedy classic. And for good reason. The film is hilarious no matter how many times you see it, it has something for everyone, and it holds up reasonably well on the believability scale (all Santa Claus elements aside). It is one of Ferrell's best comedies, and it's fun for the whole family. At the time, from a film making standpoint, it would have been easier to laud the achievement of "Bad Santa." But in terms of creating an enduring holiday classic, it would be hard to do better than "Elf." When you want something to kick back and enjoy with the whole family, "Elf" wins the battle of 2003 Christmas releases.
Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.