Bad Santa

When I see a Christmas film, I usually go for something heartwarming like “Scrooge” or “It’s a Wonderful Life”. But sometimes, you want a little vinegar in your eggnog. "Bad Santa" is foul. It’s vulgar and raunchy. It’s the antithesis of good will t’wards men… and yet you can’t argue with the results. Everyone gathered together with this comedy will be laughing hard, though I’m not sure if you want to show this one to grandma or grandpa, and certainly not to the kids.

Willie (Billy Bob Thorton) and Marcus (Tony Cox) are professional criminals. They pose as Santa and his elf for shopping centers, amuse the obligatory lineup of children and then rob the safe on Christmas Eve. But “Professional” might be the wrong word to describe Willie. This boozing, womanizing, vulgar Santa is so bad at his job he’s regularly turning heads. At least when you’re this low there’s nowhere to go but up… right?

What makes “Bad Santa” funny is that there’s hardly anywhere it won’t go. It’s not enough that Willie is a bad Santa Clause; a bad role model, a bad friend and he’s a bad person. He’s not even that good at being a criminal. The more you learn about him, the more obvious it becomes that he’s just a step above that greasy, sticky residue you find underneath your oven. He’s a deplorable human being, but at least he’s honest about it. What I mean is that he IS lying about being a department store Santa, but he’s honest in the sense that he’s so bad that you wonder how he’s gotten away with anything. He’s the kind of person that would get arrested just because of his looks. You know the man’s a dirt bag. It’s just a matter of time before someone manages to connect the dots. Will he clean up his act before they do? It certainly would be in the spirit of Christmas for a miracle to happen. Normally I have trouble associating with these types of characters, but he gets everything that’s coming to him and that only makes him more bitter, which in turn makes for more hilarious antics. When Bernie Mac as head of security Gin Slagel comes in, it even manages to get some tension and up the ante on the whole escape Willie and Marcus have gotten themselves into.

“Bad Santa” is filled with memorable interactions, characters. And events that will make you laugh out loud. Lauren Graham and Brett Kelly, in particular, are unforgettable. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I keep thinking back to their scenes and shaking my head in disbelief while also smiling and chuckling. It constantly tops itself with its “I can’t believe you went there” moments. With the conclusion the way it is, I think it might be a little too tidy and I don’t understand what they’re going to do for the sequel, but I’m curious to check it out. I think just the title “Bad Santa” tells you whether or not this one is for you. (Unrated “Badder Santa” version on DVD, November 27, 2016)