[5]

I thought I’d get a lot more from a dark comedy directed by Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon) and starring Bill Murray, but Scrooged is neither dark nor funny enough to leave much of a lasting impression. Murray plays a cutthroat TV executive named Frank Cross, the film’s equivalent to Ebenezer Scrooge, who makes life a living hell for everyone around him. Until of course, he’s visited by three ghostly spirits who help him see the light and change his wicked ways. Carol Kane is the most well-known of the actors playing the spirits, but her schtick gets old pretty quick (she likes to hit Murray’s character and knock him out). It seems like a missed opportunity not to have cast more fun and engaging personalities in the roles of the spirits. Bobcat Goldthwait is one of the film’s greatest assets, playing a vengeful version of Bob Cratchit who really spruces up the climax of the movie. Besides Bobcat, everyone else in the movie — including Murray — seems oddly restrained and ill-at-ease with the material. The result is a movie with interesting potential that lacks bite. With Karen Allen, Robert Mitchum, John Glover, John Forsythe, Alfre Woodard, and John Houseman.

Oscar Nomination: Best Makeup