Review of Bad Santa (2003) by Brett C — 29 Dec 2014

Review In A Nutshell:

It was Ghost World that introduced me to the works of Terry Zwigoff, and sadly that experience was not a particularly joyous one, as I found it to be difficult to identify deeply with its themes and did find the appeal in the way they were executed through the story. Bad Santa feels like the film Zwigoff wanted to create in order to catch those that were not satisfied with his previous film, and wouldn't you know it, I was satisfied with what he has brought here.

Bad Santa is not your traditional Christmas story, instead of focusing on the values and ideas behind the holiday, the film places its focus on its protagonist, and highlights the flaws and sin that make him who he is. The film starts off with a melancholy narration of the protagonist's own life and current situation. The film does not make him empathetic or likeable as his outlook of the world and the way he reacts to it is rude and insulting, but we do pity him and we do want to see him get better, and Zwigoff allows its predictable beats come into the script but ensures the road in between is handled in his own unique way.

It is in the relationship between Willie (the protagonist) and this kid, or with the bartender Sue, that made his story feel interesting. It explores relationships in a way that feels more natural than what would come from a film of this content. It is through these relationships that we find heart in the character, and Zwigoff pulls it back and ensuring that it never overwhelms us, that we still are able to see the fact that the character is a flawed individual.

My main issue with the film is his relationship with his partner in crime, Marcus, as it never pays off as well by the end, and their intentions are not as deeply rooted as I wanted it to be. Laughs are no doubt produced when the two characters are together but their time together is significantly long enough that I demand more than just comic relief or a generic plot driver.

Billy Bob Thornton was fantastic here as the mean and slimy Willie, not holding back with his attitude, and contrasts heavily with the Kid's performance. Thornton never at a point came off as cartoonish, despite some of his shenanigans, and that is what made the film so emotionally engaging; the satire actually promotes the character's flaws and solidifying the film's themes.

Bad Santa works so well because it takes its story very seriously and respects the character it follows by making him human, and not cushioning the flaws that make him so. I may have had a bad start with Zwigoff's filmography, but now it seems more hopeful that I may actually like his films.