Good performances in variation on 'A Christmas Carol'

Rating: Null/10 (21 January 2009)

This is an interesting variation on Dicken's 'A Christmas Carol'. Nicholson, although playing an abrasive obsessive-compulsive is clearly channeling Scrooge, who ultimately has his world view changed for the better. Helen Hunt is good as the waitress who regularly serves him, while Greg Kinear plays a sympathetic gay neighbor. The film starts off with Nicholson mouthing obscenities at everyone. There's plenty of (somewhat nasty) humor as we watch Jack playing a grumpier version of himself. Gradually however, the film mellows into a gentle romance. Both Nicholson and Hunt won Oscars for their performances, which while good, certainly aren't award caliber.
Overall 7/10