Karroll's Christmas (2004 TV Movie) User Reviews

Great Re-imagining of often told tale

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 8 February 2018]

Review Date 2/7/2018

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. I HAVE OVER 400 REVIEWS OF "CHRISTMAS RELATED FILMS & SPECIALS" WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Now Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB? When one of my reviews gets deleted IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review.

Allen Karroll hates Christmas ever since his ex-girlfriend humiliated him in front of thousands of people one Christmas. As a man who writes greeting cards for a living, this proves to be a hindrance. He also hates the man who lives across the street, Zeb Rosecog, played by Wallace Shawn, who seems to take delight in tormenting him.

This is lots of fun and film worth seeing

Very sweet retelling

[calamity469 · 7/10 · 9 December 2006]

My husband and I stumbled on this movie last year, and just loved it. Wallace Shawn as the crotchety Scrooge-like character is a joy to watch (although the scenes when he was supposed to be younger were a little painful due to the poor make-up job). He plays sweet, wistful, mean, and nasty with such dexterity. Truly a gifted performance.

The ghosts are a blast, particularly Larry Miller (whose comedy routines I love!). Tom Everett Scott does a very good job as the unwitting recipient of the ghost-visits - a man who is on the verge of becoming just like his Scroogy-neighbor.

The casting of the children in this story, however, seems like an after-thought. Only one little boy actually shines in his portrayal. The others are wooden, and they mumble through their horribly written lines. Thankfully, they don't have much screen time.

This isn't the greatest re-telling of A Christmas Carol, but it is a very sweet and fun way to get into the Christmas "Spirit".

Great Premise, Decent Execution

[demnndom · 7/10 · 6 January 2005]

When my wife saw the advertisement for this and asked me to record it, I first found the Tori Spelling wreck, A Carrol's Christmas. I am glad I clarified with her, and with TiVo's search tools found the right one.

This is a great spoof of the classic story remade countless times. The execution was good but probably not good enough to be rerun every Christmas. The bits are mostly great but occasionally fall short, primarily by being slightly predictable. It has good mix of comedy and seasonal tugs at the heartstrings, but rings just a bit as an after school special. Still I look forward to seeing it next year.

If you liked this at all, especially the occasional tendency to stray toward innuendo, I would highly recommend another Christmas film, Bernard and the Genie (1991) (TV) with Lenny Henry, Alan Cumming and Rowan Atkinson.

A delightful new twist on a well trod tale.

[parlysinger101 · 29 November 2004]

Karroll's Christmas is one of 2004's Christmas TV gems amid an onslaught of holiday specials this year. Tom Everett Scott (ER) is engaging as the lead in this modern and extremely funny retell of Dicken's Christmas Carol, and Wallace Shawn (Princess Bride) is both charming and funny as Scrooge.

The twist this time around is that the ghosts have gotten the wrong address and they take the wrong guy (Allen Karrol, played by Scott) through his crotchety neighbor's life (Wally Shawn).

Along the way, Karrol learns how his neighbor got so crotchety and becomes sympathetic to a man whom he abhorred, prior. Well directed (Dennis Dugan) and cleverly written, (Drew Daywalt & David Schneider), this one is bound to become a perennial. Five stars out of five.

I really like it

[fionafitzpatrick12 · 7/10 · 1 December 2009]

I just saw this movie last night and I thought it was really sweet. It doesn't seem like a major movie, it seems that not very much money was spent on making it.. and I really don't mean that in a bad way, I think it was a really cute story. I thought it was a very good cast and story line, I realised it had a similarity to A Christmas Carol, which I'm guessing was kind of the point. I like the fact it has some funny, sad and sweet moments. I felt so sorry for Wallace Shawn's charatcer, especially the scene when his wife dided, I actually started to cry. I will definitely will be watching it again and make sure to have the tissues ready.

I was in this movie!

[jolly_billt · 5/10 · 27 June 2006]

I totally got to be a specialized extra in this film. They rounded up extras from the U of C (Calgary) music faculty to be in the "orchestra". We got to sit with our instruments for 8 hours and not play a single note. And then when they didn't need us to sit there, we sat in the lobby and got paid to eat at craft services and play cards. The only reason this film gets a 5 from me is because they paid me handsomely for my commitment to sitting in a chair. If anyone can sit through it again, I'm the bored looking tuba player in the back row! Seriously though it was a pretty bad movie. The only good parts were the fact that it was all filmed in Calgary so I knew exactly where all the locations are.

Very good

[SanteeFats · 7/10 · 5 December 2013]

Of course this a typical feel good movie for the Christmas season. I enjoyed it though. Three, wait four, ghosts visit the wrong guy (Karroll) on Christmas Eve, or did they? I really didn't understand the Rasta ghost that precedes the traditional three ghosts of Christmas. Minime is the funniest of the ghosts but all three are good. A fired greeting card writer learns about his very crotchety neighbor's past while going through the three ghosts. This allows him to bring the man back into the Christmas spirit and he ends up reuniting with his estranged daughter. He also gets to meet his granddaughter for the first time ever. Karroll is played by Tom Everett Scott and at first his character turned me off. As the movie progresses though you can see why he is the way he is. His girlfriend, Carrie, is played by Deanna Milligan. There is a scene where she is dressed as Mrs. Claus and she looks hot. Karroll runs out to confront his neighbor instead of staying with her. I don't know many men who would leave a woman in that circumstance. Anyway, Karroll ends up not only bringing the neighbor to a reunion with his daughter and granddaughter but he propose3s on stage to the girlfriend who accepts. A decent, feel good movie like most of the ones that are shown at this time of year.

Cute, Updated Classic

[bunny3k · 10/10 · 6 January 2008]

I love "Karroll's Christmas"! It is such a clever updating of the most redone Christmas classic, Dicken's "A Christmas Carol". It is both truly sentimental and very funny. I like some of the special effects and the character of Rosecog is an interesting interpretation of Scrooge. There is a twist regarding how the ghosts conduct their visit, that I find truly original.

One review on this board said the acting was bad. I disagree. All the actors and actresses are good and play their parts well, adding small touches that make their characters more interesting and authentic. I also have liked Wallace Shawn since "The Princess Bride" and he is really good here, too. Larry Miller always makes me smile.

Also, a bit of trivia - Bharbara Egan, who plays Mrs. Coolidge, is better known to all MSTies everywhere as Troy's Aunt Betty in the 1990 Canadian movie, "Final Sacrifice" - riffed by Mystery Science Theater (Rowsdower?) There is a small amount of mild swearing and some very mild sexual innuendo, but it would be fine for families, with just a bit of parental guidance.

I have a copy of this movie, but unfortunately recorded it myself from television and then never finalized it and now I have a different DVD player that won't recognize it - curses! I am trying to find a copy and would gladly add it to "Miracle on 34th Street" - the original, "It's a Wonderful Life" - in B&W, "The Bishop's Wife", "Christmas in Connecticut", "The Santa Clause", "Holiday Inn", "Jingle All The Way", and the "Charlie Brown Christmas", "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" cartoons from the 60's, as a yearly favorite.

Fine reimagining of a classic

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 6/10 · 6 December 2008]

I'm usually up for seeing films that use A Christmas Carol as their source material, in particular the ones that go for a different interpretation of it(the BlackAdder version takes the cake, I'd have to say). Thus, when this aired, it wasn't a hard sell. It's pretty much worth it, if the tone that they set isn't maintained entirely(though almost) throughout, and it does contain at least its share, possibly more than, of sap. The acting is usually good, the children in this are by far worse than the grown-ups in it, but that is usually the case. The production value is reasonable, with some nice effects. The script plays around with the original story and characters the appropriate amount. The humor is probably the best thing about this, because in the positive end of the spectrum, there are great jokes and gags, including one or two memorable and even quote-deserving ones. There are, however, also times where they try far too hard, where it's juvenile, that it is downright stupid and/or where they fall flat. There is dark comedy herein, albeit relatively mild. Little tip? If you watch through the opening credits to this and find what occurs to be harsh and not funny, you're not likely to be in the target audience. I recommend this to those who can stand the holiday being taken a tad less seriously(for a stronger "anti" movie, look elsewhere). 6/10

An Undiscovered and Unappreciated Christmas Gem

[allegroviolin · 9/10 · 24 December 2022]

This is my first review for IMDB but my wife and I are Christmas movie junkies and this is one of our very favorites. I wish that I could give Wallace Shawn an award for his performance. It was that good. Larry Miller is a great charater actor and he shines here as a slumping Jewish comedian turned Christmas ghost. We thought that every possible variation of Christmas Carol had been tried but this was completely fresh. It is mostly a rom com but somehow injects some realistic pathos and depth courtesy of Mr. Shawn. Tom Everett Scott and Alanna Ubach add to the comic mayhem as well as the rest of the supporting cast. Kudos to the writers for excellent comedic sense. We enjoy rewatching it every year.

I love Deanna Milligan in that movie and Tom Everrt Scott was hilarious.

[rcorless-1 · 7/10 · 26 December 2005]

I have a thing for Deanna Milligan. She wasn't in the movie very much.

But she was beautiful with her blonde hair and I liked the nice brown boots she wore early in the film. Seeing her wear those boots melted my heart as well as her smile and short blonde hair. When she walked into the coffee shop with Scott's character Allan Karroll. I liked it when she put on her boots with her Christmas evening gown that she was going to entertain him with but walked out on him when he was talking to the ghosts. It was beautiful when Tom's character Allen Karoll proposed to Deanna's character Carrie at the end of the film. But sadly she didn't wear those gorgeous brown boots then. I also think Deanna has a beautiful smile that can melt anybody's heart.

I also thought Tom Everett Scott was funny as Allen Karoll and so was Larry Miller and Verne Troyer as two of the ghosts.

What an Unexpected Gem!

[SentinelPrime · 23 January 2005]

This film was an unexpected delight. "A Christmas Carol" variants are a dime a dozen, but this movie is remarkable. This film mixes drama and comedy deftly. The whole cast is a treat, doing excellent work in an endeavor fraught with possible peril, with special mention to Larry Miller and Wallace Shawn.

Thomas Everett Scott plays a man, Allen Karroll, well on his way to alienation who wakes up to that fact while helping the person the Ghosts were supposed to haunt. The film strikes several different chords, but allows for each scene to unfold on its own, giving it rich moments of humor and sentiment. It was with sentiment that Wallace Shawn was especially crucial. He is perfect as Zeb Rosecog, and a scene with his daughter was stunningly special and moving. Larry Miller and the Ghosts provide wonderful moments of humor. Miller is person with great capacity for humor and drama, but here is called to walk lightly between both.

I also want to mention Deanna Milligan as Carrie, Allen's girlfriend. She was down to earth, yet luminous, with a smile to melt the snow. I hope to see more of her as an actor in the future.

Too funny!

[wge1954 · 10/10 · 13 December 2020]

If you love Married With Children, My Name is Earl and Seinfeld, then you will love the insane humor in this movie. Also comparable to Mixed Nuts with craziness, warmth and sensitivity. Some have criticized it for the diversity of emotions. But this is not the Marx Brothers, where total insanity reigns unfettered. Funny as it is, this is a movie of loss and reclamation. A movie with hope and happiness. A movie with totally original absurd humor.

Nice twist on the same old Christmas Carol!

[Austin_Taylor · 14 December 2004]

Tom Everett Scott and a strong supporting cast spice up what could have been just another made for TV three ghost visit movie.

This movie pokes fun at all those Christmas Carol rip-offs and finally points out that sometimes we humans have to take responsibility and solve our own problems.

This one is a true feel good film.

Larry Miller, Alanna Ubach and Verne Troyer are outstanding as the bumbling ghostly trio! I loved the twist on Jacob Marley as well.

Just a fun tongue in cheek look at Charles Dickens' classic!

This one is worth seeing! I just hope it shows up with the Ghost of Christmas future during the next Yule Time Season!

Dennis Dugan... You da Christmas Man

[jwpeel-1 · 20 December 2004]

I got a real kick out of this funny and touching treatment of Charles Dickens immortal classic. I even liked Wallace Shawn in it whom I usually cringe to watch with that awful big-tongued lisp of his, but here, everyone is used to their best advantage. (I must admit I liked him as an old Ferenghi Yoda-type on "Deep Space Nine" but I digress several light years.)

Tom Everett Scott whom I only knew from Tom Hanks film "That Thing You Do" prior to this is a lovable wholesome schlub who mistakenly gets visited by the three ghosts instead of his Scooge-y next door neighbor. Larry Miller is always fun to watch and here, he truly shines with some excellent one-liners

The love interest is also charming and the other two ghosts are a scream, especially Verne Troyer's Christmas future in a delightfully twisted version of the original. There is also Marley's ghost, but to tell you the delicious take they did on HIM would ruin a sweet surprise that should make you laugh long and hard unless you are already dead yourself.

There are some extremely emotional scenes that may make you reach for the Kleenex and they are not at all heavy handed nor do they hurt the overall effect of this "Carol." Slapstick, pathos, one-liners and fun characterizations mixed well and blended thoroughly make this worthwhile viewing to be sure.

Check this one out and avoid at all costs the Tori Spelling version from Hallmark. Director (and sometimes actor) Dennis Dugan balanced Karroll's Chrismas" all so well and adroitly. You may remember him as "Richie Brockelman, Private Eye" from the old "Rockford Files" series or one of his other quirky TV performances in the 1970's or 80's. Anyway, the man sure knows how to direct a great, fun holiday movie. And some great rocking music to boot.

And after all the

Pathetic remake

[ignazia · 29 December 2004]

I have to agree with the posting from cyberdoc-6 - this warped version of the well-loved Dicken's tale is just a waste of valuable time. It seems to be a amalgamation of scenes or ideas from different movies patch-worked together to make something akin to Bill Murray's "Scrooged" (1988). The jokes are feeble or just plain crude and the characters have no depth (except for the portrayal by Wallace Shawn).

There are better reasons for disliking Christmas than your girlfriend saying "No Thanks" to an engagement ring. Why set yourself up for failure by proposing in a hugely public place (scene pinched from 1988s "Working Girl") where either she feels pressured for a positive response or you feel humiliated if you don't get the answer you want?

Give this one a miss. One star out of five.

Karroll sums it up "This is HORRIBLE!"

[cyberdoc-6 · 15 December 2004]

Nice premise but... extremely poor execution. The movie didn't know whether it wanted to be a comedy, a drama, a romance or Porky's Revenge with a foul mouthed ghost of the future lewdly commenting that there "wasn't a dry seat in the house" after Karroll's bended knee proposal to his girlfriend. The acting oscillates between cardboard stiff caricatures to over the top emotional extortion. The sets look like they snuck onto the soundstage of "Christmas With The Kranks" after hours and had movie-making 101 students do the lighting for free. The sloppy joke writing makes fun of everything from Sodomy in Hell with the Turkish guard from "Midnight Express" to a fat naked man wiping his face on a Magi's robe with the comment "we gotta lay off the myrrh." Don't watch this with your kids unless you're prepared to explain to them what is meant by the "open my ankles" line by a negligee modeling Carrie straddling her boyfriend on his bed.

This one is one real waste of time so don't bother.