Bad Santa [DVD] [2003] [2005]

Crude, vulgar and relies on swearing for humour. I'd put this in the same class as the "Orange is the new black" series (not the book) as there is nothing intelligent in the script or the delivery. I assume the production company is having a good laugh at the profits it's turning from drunks who enjoy this crassness.

This 2003 production from the director Terry Zwigoff who in 2001 had directed "Ghost World" comes this irreverent take on the festive holidays, Billy Bob Thornton is perfectly cast as the title character who somehow makes this wholly unsavoury figure likeable in a dark and twisted way and his little helper played by Tony Cox is the perfect comic foil, this is the late John Ritter's last film and is dedicated to him as he passed away in September and this movie opened in November 2003 in the U.S.Comparing the Blu-ray which was released 2008 in the U.K. to the 2005 version on DVD is like night and day the red of the Santa suit jumps out of the screen the soundtrack of this film is re-born with greater clarity in all the audio departments, the extras included are in standard definition they are the same as the DVD from 2005 this includes the documentary "Not your typical Christmas movie" a blooper reel and deleted scenes, this Blu-ray is encoded using Mpeg-4 in full 1080p resolution in the original 1.85 aspect ratio and the audio track is in English, French, Italian and Spanish 5.1 Dolby True HD and there are a range of subtitles including English for the hard of hearing, Arabic, French, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish this is all on a Region Free 50GB disc a perfect cure for when you feel overwhelmed by the Festive Holidays'.

Amazon have a habit of dumping all reviews into all film formats. So please note that this review is for the Blu-Ray version and so quality and features may vary.The picture quality of this film is exactly what I would expect from Blu-Ray, sharp lines, good definition, clear and colourful. I can't comment too much on audio quality as this was playing through standard TV speakers, but what I heard was fine.This is a very funny film, but if you are likely to be offended by the overuse of bad language, course sexual humour, a Santa that hates children and makes his feelings known to them and glamourising drunken behaviour, then you may want to steer clear of this film.For those not familiar with the film the story centres around 2 burglars who, every year, scope the security of a department store in the run up to Christmas and then when the safe is full, they break into it and steal the money.Willie (Billy Bob Thornton) is a safe cracker and gets employment in a stores Christmas grotto as Santa. His side kick and brains behind the operations is Marcus (Tony Cox). He dresses up as an elf and due to his size is able to traverse the ventilation ducts and bypass security. It is a brilliant plan that pays dividends every year, but there is one major flaw; Willie is a drunk who is filled with hatred for everything and everyone.In Bad Santa they pick up a job where the store manager Bob Chipeska (John Ritter) is a socially awkward boss who relies upon store detective Gin (Bernie Mac) to sort out the day to day problems that drunk Willie is causing for the store. Unfortunately, Gin is a bit corrupt and so Willie is able to get away with swearing and shouting at children, have sex with larger ladies in the dressing rooms, turn up so drunk he urinates himself and falls asleep on the floor.In the build up to this burglary Willie cons his way into a 10 year old Thurman's (Brett Kelly) home who is looked after by his confused grandmother. Slowly a relationship builds between the 2 helped along with a bartender, Sue (Lauren Graham) who has a thing for Santa after meeting him in a bar.The film is filled with unrepeatable, yet memorable moments. A timeless kind of humour that has the film being replayed year after year. When you get a bit fed up of all the softer Santa stories of love, joy and happiness and you feel like you need an escape into the darker side of Santa, then pop this into the player.The blooper reel had me in hysterics especially the scenes between the now both deceased John Ritter and Bernie Mac. The scene with Gin making Bob Chipeska feel uncomfortable spelling out what Willie has been getting up to was in itself a very funny moment in the film, but the outtakes of this scene had me rolling on the floor.

This film starts out looking like it will be tough going. The setting is hot and unfestive. The language is harsh and the two main characters are anything but sympathetic. Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Willie, a drunken, self loathing, safe breaking department store Santa makes for uncomfortable viewing. But as the film progresses you start to warm to him (very slowly). What makes this possible is the change wrought in him by his relationships with weird fat kid Thurman Merman played by Brett Kelly and Santa fetishist barmaid Sue, played by Lauren Graham.The comedy will not be to everyone's taste as much of it is of the 'gross out' variety. Despite that, the film is more thoughtful than its critics give it credit for. The main body of the movie contains scenes of Willie being drunk, swearing at kids, wetting himself and generally being foul and disgusting. His partner in crime, Marcus, played by Tony Cox, is a black dwarf which generates considerable job security for them. Every time Willie's antics threaten to get them both sacked Marcus only has to point out that he ticks two minority boxes and the store manager backs off from disciplining either of them.Willie's verbal sparring with Marcus shows genuine affection between them underscored with an element of loathing. Each really wants to be rid of the other but they need each other too much. Locked in their love/hate relationship they bicker and insult each other in a way that is funny but also thought provoking. The swearing may put some people off though.There is a sub plot involving the store detective played by Bernie Mac who realises what our dynamic duo are up to. He blackmails them for a share of the profits prompting Marcus to take extreme action to deal with him. There is also a thread involving the repressed and timid store manager played by John Ritter who realises that something is up with our heroes but lacks the means to deal with them. This leads to some humorously uncomfortable conversations between Ritter and Mac when Ritter seeks his help.More discomfort ensues when Willie tries to teach Thurman self defence by taking him to a gym to spar with Marcus. This turns into a three way painfest as Thurman struggles with the concept of inflicting physical violence, Marcus gets fed up and Willie loses patience with Marcus.The final quarter of the movie is when the humanity starts to come through as Willie starts to realise that Thurman and Sue really care about him and that he can make more of his life if he chooses to do so. All through the film he has had this deep seated desire to change things and he finally has a motivating factor to do so.Give this movie a chance. Watch it all the way through with an open mind after the kids have gone to bed. You may not like it but you may be surprised.