Actor Jim Carrey Favors Traditional Christmas Celebrations and Transformational Redemptive Storytelling
by Ted Baehr
When it comes to celebrating Christmas, actor Jim Carrey says he prefers the “Christian” traditions he and many other people in America grew up on as children.
“I’d hate to miss Christmas,” he added.
Carrey, who gives a remarkable performance in A Christmas Carol, the new brilliant masterpiece of the beloved novel by Charles Dickens from Disney and Writer/Director Bob Zemeckis, spoke about the movie at a recent press conference Movieguide attended in Los Angeles.
At the conference, Carrey also noted that he loves redemptive stories like A Christmas Carol.
“Everyone loves a good transformational story,” Carrey said. “You know, somebody who sees the light, who finally finds out what’s important in life. And, this is one of the greatest ones ever written. It’s just a beautiful story of redemption.”
“It might be the greatest time travel story ever written in the English language,” added Zemeckis, who’s also known for his entertaining time travel stories in the 80s, the Back to the Future trilogy.
“This story definitely influenced my other time travel stories,” he said.
Zemeckis also said he thinks A Christmas Carol is a perfect story for the motion capture process he used to good effect in The Polar Express and lesser effect in Beowulf. This process involves actors performing entire scenes while hooked up to computers that can record their every movement. Once recorded, that’s when the animators, working with computers and other animation technology take over.
Zemeckis noted, “The book hadn’t been realized before in the way that it was actually imagined by Dickens as he wrote it. I said, okay, this could be a perfect way to take a classic story everyone is familiar with and re-envision it in a new and exciting way.”
And indeed, the movie, which should become a Christmas classic, brilliantly takes moviegoers back to a bygone era, Victorian London, with amazingly detailed set designs.
The motion capture technology also allows the filmmakers and actors to interact in new ways with the world envisioned by Zemeckis through Dickens, including the wonderful special effects of ghosts, spirits, and supernatural events that Dickens describes.
In the past, some have complained that the motion capture technology makes human actors too wooden, but, here, Zemeckis, Carrey, Gary Oldman (who plays the crucial roles of Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley), and the animators do a wonderful job of bringing life and true humanity to their characters.
It also helps that Carrey not only plays Scrooge, the misanthropic protagonist. He also plays the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Present, who teach Scrooge some invaluable lessons.
And, Carrey also plays the silently menacing and terrifying Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come, who teaches the miserly, hateful Mr. Scrooge the horrors that await him if he doesn’t change his ways.
The fact that the movie is animated helps Carrey, Zemeckis, and the animators carry off the scenes between Scrooge and the spirits without stretching credulity.
Such a disconnect often happens in live action movies with lots of special effects where, all too often, the actors don’t seem to be in the same room or location as the special effects surrounding them.
“Certain aspects of the technology make things easier,” Carrey noted, “to get a lot of scenes done, to do a lot of material at once. A lot of aspects make it hugely easier to create the world you want.
“For an actor, there are actually challenges. You have to create the ambiance and the belief in your surroundings in your head. But, once you go into it, the process is very comfortable, and Bob [Zemeckis] was great.”
Zemeckis added, “I loved every morning I got to come in and I’d say, ‘Jim, who do you feel like today?’
About playing Scrooge, Carrey said, “I wanted to have that feeling that causes rheumatism, that eventually will eat you alive from inside. I based the character from the get-go on the lies that we believe about ourselves. Obviously, Scrooge felt he was unworthy of love, so why should love exist for anybody?”
Carrey also said that doing all the different roles in the movie, including the younger versions of Scrooge, was “a dream come true” for him, including the physicality required for playing Scrooge and the three spirits.
It is the three spirits who teach Scrooge the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ and his salvation message of love, in this terrific, beautiful, powerful family movie.
A Christmas Carol is one of the few movies that Movieguide considers a “must see,” not only for people who love movies but also for people of faith and values.
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44 Comments
So everyone here attacked Carrey all last week for saying a statement that made capitalism seem in a negative light, are we all going to forgive him now that he is an open Christian?
Frankly, I never viewed Carrey even remotely political so I don't really care, but would find it amusing if some here changed their tune.
The open Christian thing is OK by me, but I can't forgive him (or Jenny McCarthy) for the damage they are doing to children.
Take a look at this interview. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/18/60minut... For sure, He's not a Christian. He's nothing… he's whatever gives him greatest comfort at the time. Just shows he doesn't stand for anything, just whatever makes him "happy". Sad really. But…makes other comments he's made politically make sense.
Thank you Dr. Baehr, for your review of The Christmas Carol. I now look forward to seeing the animated telling of one of the greatest stories ever told. And I'm going to see it in the theatre instead of waiting for cable. The whole transition to computer animation left me behind, but with this creative combination – Zemeckis, Carrey, Oldman, and who else? with the state of the art of animation – is enough to pull me back into the big dark room with other people just to have the experience.
People will say what they say. Some say it better than others.
I am taking a poll to publish in the first issue of my All Editorial Newspaper. I was wondering if everyone wouldn't mind taking a couple seconds and giving a quick answer. No sign up, No email required, just cast your vote. http://myfreepress.net/blog/post/Jason/2009/11/co...
Jim had a pretty chaotic childhood growing up. I know he was homeless and lived with his Dad in a van for awhile. He's overcome many obstacles in his early life.
I'm glad he enjoys Christmas and he's not christian bashing which is the norm these days not just in Hollywood but pretty much every big city and town.
But anyone who makes 20 million a pic. lecturing us on the evils of capitalism is a bit rich. No pun intended.
He hasn't said that he's Christian, just that he likes the Christian traditions and would hate to miss Christmas.
I rarely go to Carrey's movies because I can't stand his acting. I'm on the fence about this one.
If you're wondering why nobody is going to your site, you might try clicking on your own link there.
Intense Debate does that to links sometimes. I don't know why. that is why i moved to Disqus comments on my site. Anyways here is the link hopefully it works this time http://myfreepress.net/blog/post/Jason/2009/11/co...
Also here are the results so far
Yes 90% (221 votes)
No 4% (10 votes)
Don't Know 2% (4 votes)
Don't Care 0% (0 votes)
Hope So 1% (2 votes)
Other: 4% (9 votes)
Sorry Guys link was busted on last post here goes again
I am taking a poll to publish in the first issue of my All Editorial Newspaper. I was wondering if everyone wouldn't mind taking a couple seconds and giving a quick answer. No sign up, No email required, just cast your vote. Communism Poll http://myfreepress.net/blog/post/Jason/2009/11/co...
Results so far
Yes 90% (221 votes)
No 4% (10 votes)
Don't Know 2% (4 votes)
Don't Care 0% (0 votes)
Hope So 1% (2 votes)
Other: 4% (9 votes)
I too enjoy redemptive stories which inspire people toward goodwill. But Jim Carey would have a lot more credibility if he and his Hollywood cohorts would try to live the life they preach to us, instead of living in their indulgent gluttonous luxury.
"When it comes to celebrating Christmas, actor Jim Carrey says he prefers the “Christian” traditions he and many other people in America grew up on as children." – Jim Carrey grew up in Canada. Ted.
How freakin' hilarious. Let me guess. Carrey is also now drinking coffee again.
Dr. Baehr . What is there not to love about 'traditional' Christmas? As a kid we got to believe that one man could go around the world and give presents to everyone and it doesn't cost a god darned thing now. And somehow the people in the White House and in Congress stole Santa's agenda and gave it to the POTUS.
George Soros can rot in hell. Bettcha your client is jonesing a cup of joe.
THE Christmas redemption picture is "It's a Wonderful Life." No need for animation and still totally engaging in black and white.
Can't even stand the previews of this thing. Animation gets creepy after awhile, especially when Jim Carrey is involved – keep recalling his "The Mask" and the excreable "Ace something Pet Detective" – Carrey's grinning looks like madness, not cleverness.
Carrey prefers the "Christian" traditions… hmmmm, maybe. I bet come this December he rarely utters the words: "Merry Christmas." At least not in public.
Beowulf was really boring, I tried very hard to like it as it's "educational" and something I know is important in English history but I fell asleep on several attempts to watch it beginning to end.
If the trailer for this movie is anything to go by, I'm NOT seeing it. 'A Christmas Carol' is all about redemption – a tale of a bitter, lonely miser given the chance to reclaim his lost soul and heart. But with Scrooge shot into the sky like a human cannonball, this film looks to be nothing but cheap laughs and slapstick. I'm not seeing this movie.
I enjoyed this movie.
But in my book, nothing comes close to the George C. Scott version from the early 80's. Family tradition is to watch it every Christmas Eve, and it's so good every year it's like seeing it for the first time–though I can quote it practically by heart. George C. Scott offers as good an interpretation of the literary Ebenezer as there is. This version alone has made this story what it is to me: the quintessential Christmas movie.
He's just too frenetic for me. I've enjoyed some of his movies, but when I see him on a talk show, it makes me wish I had some major tranqs.
I'm with you. Shudder. We used to read it aloud as a family at Christmas. Last year I found it as a free app for my iPhone. Nothing beats the original. No need for special effects!
If you like the story Christmas Carol the only one worth watching is the George C Scott version. In Disney's version Scrooge is emaciated, Bob Cratchet looks like he ought to following the Yellow Brick Road, and the nephew is not at all likable. Who says the camera put on 10 pounds? A real miss for what could have been magic. One thing though, the state of cartooning is beyond superb.
My favorite version is the one from way back with Alastair Sim as Scrooge. I think if was done in the early 50's, black and white. The one with George C Scott is good too.
All the fancy animation is not important to me.
Dude..don't mess with Ace Ventura…!! The funniest movie I ever saw. Some of us go to the movies to escape reality and just have a laugh. Some people in here sound like "the monopoly guy"
I'm not even sure what you are all talking about. Who cares what he thinks? He's a brilliant comic actor who, Superman like, has powers far surpassing those of mortal men. His delivery, expressiveness, elasticity, irreverence, energy, mimicry and complete unabashed shamelessness make him the only rational choice for many roles. For example, if they had to remake the Clouseau movies, it should have been Carrey (Steve Martin is wonderful, but his PP movies are an insult to Peter Sellers fans). If they had to remake Get Smart, it should have been Carrey (not Carrell's fault it was a horrible movie). Yes, I love Jim Carrey and am going to see the movie. But, I could care less what he thinks about capitalism or Christmas. Do you folks actually buy stuff because some actor says they use it? Come on.
Well technically, Canadians are North Americans too.
I think the film might have been more appealing if Carrey was not playing so many roles. It sounds like "A Jim Carrey Christmas Carol." A little bit of Carrey goes a long way and I'll bet that is a turn off to some movie goers.
Thanks Dr. for a great review.
It was an anti-capitalist movie, only because Dickens was anti-capitalist.. It would be impossible to do a picture true to the book without expressing Dickens sentiments.
But that shouldn't detract from the movie. I think it is probably the best cinematic version of the story ever created.
Make sure you spring for the 3D (and maybe even IMAX if there is one around you)
Well worth the couple extra bucks.
There are a couple of cheap effects, but I have never seen a more accurate depiction of the story. I used to read the book every Christmas as well (I know the book so well I could read it blindfolded) and it was dead on. (despite the two or three chase scenes.)
Do yourself a favor, and see the movie while it's out in 3D (and try to forget it's Jim Carey).
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I can't contribute one penny to the likes of Carrey or Clooney. Both are sick in the head.
Thank you! That really is by far the best to me. It's true to the book–much of it is a creepy ghost story–and Sim does the best redemption of all. The supporting cast is absolutely rock-solid, and there isn't too much Tiny Tim.
You can get a decent looking transfer on dvd now, but it'll get run a few times over the season.
I won't contribute one penny to the likes of Carrey or Clooney. Hollywood sucks!
"people in America" implies people in the United States of America, not people in all of North America. Baehr didn't do his homework (big surprise.) Most of his writings/reviews are just trying to judge whether films fit into his worldview or not, and then, deem the worthy to see or not. I can't believe this guy is still writing for BH.
The Albert Finney musical is still my favorite "A Christmas Carol"….with "The Muppets Christmas Carol" a close second.
I wish the Ghosts of Hollywood past would teach the current idiots a redemptive lesson.
No, Dickens wasn't anti-capitalist. He was anti-greed. They're not the same thing.
I'm right there with you on the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol." It's just not Christmas to me until I've watched that movie!
My son really wanted to see this movie, so we went on Saturday. Though I love the story "A Christmas Carol" and several of the adaptations, Disney's version left me flat.
There was no need for the scene Disney added to the beginning of the story except to extend the running time and show what a miser Scrooge is. It's amazing we managed to figure that fact out for the last 150+ years without this useless scene.
The story rushed through the spirits of Christmas Past and Christmas Present, apparently so they could waste 10 minutes (it may have been less, it certainly felt like more) with a stupid chase scene — by demonic horses pulling a hearse, no less — when the spirit of Christmas Yet to Come arrives. Who is the idiot that decided the one thing that's always been missing from "A Christmas Carol" was a chase scene?
My son, who is 13, was also unimpressed. Too scary for young children and too humdrum for older children and adults, I really don't know who the target audience is for this movie. Regardless, I'm certain Dickens would have hated it.
Watch one of the earlier versions of the story — I prefer the George C. Scott version, myself — since you can buy two or three different versions on DVD for what it will cost to catch this in the theaters.
Love 'It's a Wonderful' but it isn't really a redemption film – it is a what if film.
Scrooge exemplifies a transformed life. George was already a decent human being.
I had the pleasure of seeing Patrick Stewart do his 1 man 'Christmas Carol' a number of years ago. Absolutely awesome.
My movie fave is Alastair Sims, of course!
My thoughts exactly!
Absolutely right….George C Scott's performance was a family tradition in my house growing up. Nothing better. Every year…I sit down w/ a pint of seasonal ale and watch my old VHS tape of Scott. Delivers the Christmas Spirit…every time.
You have seen the evidence of their guilt damaging children beyond any doubt? I didn't know the jury returned a verdict let alone there was a trial. Parental rights were important to our founding fathers just as parental rights beyond the point of a needle are now.
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