Of all the versions of A Christmas Carol I have seen this is by far the most mean spirited one. I am not a great admirer of Bill Murray as he seems to play a variation of the same character in film after film, namely the man-child who must go through some quest to find redemption and to win over the central love interest of the story. Once in a while the formula works despite Murray always coming across as an annoying presence no matter what he does. In Scrooged he is at his most obnoxious. There is one sequence that I find genuinely moving and involves him being taken back in time to see himself as a young boy and his very sweet relationship with his mother. "Merry Christmas, Frankie angel, " says his mother. The adult Frank Cross tears up....and so do I. It is a scene that earns its emotions naturally, unlike the conclusion where you are beaten over the head in a desperate attempt to solicit emotions. The sequence where Frank is being beat up by one of the ghosts (played by Carol Kane) is among the most unpleasant. I'm willing to bet that a few of those punches landed, whether intentionally or accidentally is a matter of speculation. Karen Allen is the only genuinely likeable character in the film and it seems to be the most implausible aspect of the story that such a kind-hearted person would be interested in such a deeply cynical person as Frank Cross. I'll believe in Jacob Marley before that relationship. I've watched this once or twice and that's enough. There are far better Christmas films.
