Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, … a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree-
My wife introducing me to her family… also from some British book.
The holiday season is here and I have not been the pen pal my legions of fans demand. All six of them have wandered streets across the globe clutching breasts which hide broken hearts. But do not fear- I return with a movie review and will knock a few more out before New Years.
I had planned on repeating my previous ghostly concept by reviewing a Christmas movie I loved and one I hated but a series of minor events (my house being torn down) distracted from this noble ambition. I decided to chose between the two. And this being a season of miracles have chosen to discuss a cinematic tale close to this writers heart. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery the non-stop parade of adaptations of this classic Christmas tale is enough to make even Dickens blush. It seems every pale, follicly challenged, mildly British(ish) actor has decided to attempt a mark on the tale.
But the 1984 rendition stars General Patton/George C. Scott as an Ebeneezer Scrooge who combines wit, single minded miserliness, and a unique iron will which complicates an easy transition from sinner to saint.
And with this Ebeneezer I begin… George C. Scott’s Scrooge is very much the child of Thatcher’s England or Regan’s United States. A greed supported by snobbish intellectualism, a mind that deals with the real world not the world we wish existed. Scott’s Scrooge is very good at what he does. He negotiates deals, manages his business with only a single clerk, and is always the wittiest man in the room…
“Mr. Scrooge I presume-”
“Indeed you do sir,”
Scott’s performance does not need the bluster or incessant growling that characterizes many of these portrayals. His way of living, of thinking, has provided real tangible results. He can count the splendid successes of his life by opening his ledger. This was not easy. He has suffered. He has worked hard. He has earned this. Others have not.
Scrooge greed is but by a way of viewing the world.
“What’s Christmas but a time for buying things.”-
“Dammit, Scrooge- It’s not fair.” –
“No, but its business.”
Everything from these interactions with colleagues, his conversation with Fred, and even his verbal sparing with the ghosts are articulated in his financial language, in The Art of the Deal. Even abandoned by the Ghost of Christmas present, whose mocking laughter still echoes, he attempts to bargain-
“Come back spirit… We’ll have a give and take. Perhaps I’ve spoken on matters of which I’ve given no great thought. I’m a reasonable man. Come let us talk!
It is because he is a man of such intelligence and will that this journey is difficult. He vainly attempts to justify his actions while these spirits refuse to battle him on those mercantile terms.
Scott manages all of this. He is charming while hateful, fiercely intelligent as he ignores facts, and only when he sees what his wealth eventually buys does he understand he is a fool.
As terrific as Scott’s performance may be this is not where the movie ascends. Dickens forged worlds of characters and they live here. The usually irritating Fred is made into a jovial adversarial force. The man has inherited his Uncle’s wit and intelligence (being the only human to outclass and even silence him) but also demonstrates an “idiotic” sense of decency. Fred is as able a businessman (or at least as wealthy) as Scrooge. He hires young Peter Cratchet, has a very well to do party, and buys his wife an expensive bracelet. There is no indication that this leaves him in a pauper’s prison. A constant visual counter to Scrooges instance of foolishness. The other's in this world are equally fascinating. Bob Cratchet and his family while loving also possess a worldliness and awareness of their financial fragility. Then there is Old Joe too often ignored in adaptations but here delightfully macabre evaluating a dead man through his belongings.
But this is a ghost story… These ghosts are not gentle guides who wish Scrooge the best. These are an older harsher light. They judge Scrooge. They hold him accountable. They mock his cynical arrogance and belief in his own infallibility.
The Ghost of Christmas present is the most shocking for those of us who grew up with Muppets. He maintains the Father Christmas appearance and laugh but gone is the warmth.
Ghost: But if he’s to die than let him die… and decrease the surplus population…
Scrooge: You use my own words against me.”
Ghost: (nods) So maybe next time you’ll hold your tongue until you realize exactly what the surplus population is and where it is. It may be that is the eyes of heaven you are less worthy to live than millions like this poor man’s child.
The Ghost of Christmas present is angered by Scrooge’s ignorance. Now don’t let me give the wrong impression. He is still capable of jovial sayings, and warm smiles but a core of righteousness holds him firm.
And lest we forget…
This portrait does not due the actor justice but speaks to the director (and costumers) brilliance. Tim is slightly frightening. His eyes are sunk, his teeth yellowed, skin paled. He has none of the moralistic charm or adorableness that so often perverts the character. I will confess I find Tiny Tim to be the hardest because we in the 21st (and probably 19th) century are too jaded to sophisticated to believe a kid that good. “Good Bless us everyone.” Please.
But this Tiny Tim does it to impress. His desire to be like his family, the boys on the street, anyone really but him… hurts. His delivery is like a child repeating what he’s heard grown ups say. He knows he can make them laugh and because he desperately needs the happiness of his family he provides it. This is the wisdom of so many children in poverty who despite their pain make the lives of their elders easier. This is a Tiny Tim I believe.
The 1984 Christmas Carol is not an accurate retelling of the tale but its a faithful one. That is it takes the tenets or the Faith of what Dickens brought to life. This is not a book report movie. They make changes frequently and deliberately. They are true to the moment, their own story, and the soul of the work.
And to be honest I find imitation to be the cheapest form of flattery. To find new depths in a work, to understand and move forward… that is the highest honor.
Until next time,
Lane McLeod Jackson.
P.S. I’m going to link to the IMDB page so that all directors, actors, and even (ugh) producers can get their due credit.
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