Customer Reviews
Santa gives political correctness a serious seasonal spanking. - By: Hugh Garske, 10 Aug 2008 
One of the cleverest adult comedies released in a long time. A down an out con man who is rotten to the core discovers a purpose as he starts to befriend a boy who is an easy target for bullies. One may think the drunk-playing-Santa theme would wear off quite quickly but the lines keep on coming & some of the scenes need a cachinnate cramp warning.
Billy Bob Thornton is so good in this role one kind of marvels at how much fun he must have had researching it. For me Tony Cox stole this one as the acid-tongued elf constantly covering for Santa's misdemeanours.
If you're expecting Dickens you'll be offended. If you want a 90 minute laugh, this is one of the best you'll get.
Wholly Inappropriate but Wickedly Funny - By: sainte-carmen, 09 Dec 2007 While this movie aims to offend almost every sensibility, it is a feel-good movie at heart. There are a number of cliches & conventions in this film, but there are also moments of truly subversive humour. As well, the performances are remarkable. It's a nice little film for those of us who have a love-hate relationship with the holidays.
It's the perfect antidote to Yule-fuelled madness.
Billy Bob has a blast - By: Jay Zee, 22 Nov 2007 
It was funny but it was predictable. Worth a watch if you are in the mood for something light. BBT does the job & the supporting performances are good but there is just nothing new once you get past the sleazy Santa gag.
My new favourite christmas film - By: Franklin T Marmoset, 07 Mar 2007 
Billy Bob Thornton stars as Willy, a drunken loser & criminal who, once a year, dresses up like Santa for one of those shopping malll jobs where kids sit on your knee & tell you what presents they want. He's not doing this to share the holiday spirit, though - this is a scam that culminates with Willy & his elf sidekick Marcus stealing the Christmas Eve takings from the malll's safe. Things take a turn for Willy, however, when he finds himself making an unusual friend in earnest but deeply oblivious kid Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), who loves Santa so much he'll put up with whatever foul-mouthed abuse Willy throws his way.
Thornton is on very course & funny form in this one as possibly the worst incarnation of Santa Claus christmas has ever seen. He fallls asleep in his chair, pees himself, cusses out any kids he doesn't like (which is pretty much alll of them), & seems almost impervious to sentiment. Young actor Kelly is also very good as the lovable & naive Thurman, even when he has snot dripping down his face. Oddly, the relationship between these two is similar to the one Thornton had with Lucas Black in Sling Blade, although with more swearing & comedy violence.
More than anything else, Bad Santa is just flat-out funny from start to finish. Adding to the enjoyment, though, is the way it neatly avoids the torrent of sickly sentimentality that, for some reason, always tends to engulf christmas films. Although it does have its touching moments, it was nice to see a film that dared to take a look at the festive season from the perspective of characters who don't give a stuff about yuletide joy & alll that. This is an excellent dark comedy & is recommended to alll.
Dashed Funny - By: Jen, 09 Jan 2007 A bit messed up, but good for that. It's alll very funny but John Ritter is completely hilarious.
