February 25, 2002
BAD SANTA
Screenplay by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa,
Revisions by Ethan & Joel Coen, Polish by Terry Zwigoff
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
Each Christmas season, safecracker WILLIE T. SOKE, a bitter drunk and a whoremonger, and his dwarf partner in crime, MARCUS SKIDMORE, take jobs as Santa and his Elf, respectively, only to rob the stores they work for. Marcus' wife LOIS helps them scope out the merchandise they steal along with the money in the company safe. This season they arrive in Phoenix, Arizona to work for the Chamberlain Department store at the Saguaro Square Mall.
Store manager BOB CHIPESKA is a bit put off by Willie's gruff and vulgar manner, but Marcus helps smooth matters over as usual. A local 8 year old KID becomes curious about Willie and starts to hang around him. First night after work, Willie goes to the local bar, gets drunk, and has sex with the slutty barmaid SUE. After a TROUBLEMAKER beats up Willie, the Kid shows up to question him to death. When Willie learns the Kid lives alone with his senile GRANDMA (his father is in prison-his mother dead), he accompanies the Kid home to loot the place. Meanwhile, Chipeska informs store detective GIN SLAGEL about his suspicions concerning Willie and Marcus. Gin begins checking on their background. When Willie sees him snooping around his motel room, Willie moves into the Kid's house, enjoying the shelter, the booze, and the jacuzzi with Sue. Willie starts to take care of the Kid more than anyone every has before. Meanwhile, Lois checks out the merchandise and Marcus checks out the store security system. After Willie finds out the Kid has been beaten up by the local BULLIES again, he beats them up. Willie feels good about himself for the first time in years, maybe in his entire life. Gin confronts Willie and Marcus. He knows what they are up to and demands half the take for his silence. They reluctantly agree. Willie is touched when the Kid gives him a handcrafted present. The Kid would like a toy elephant for his Christmas present. Feeling sorry for himself and suicidal, Willie leaves the Kid a note, detailing his plans to rob the store. Meanwhile, Marcus and Lois kill Gin. The big night arrives. After the store closes, Willie cracks the safe while Marcus and Lois loot the store. Before they leave the story, Marcus tells Willie they killed Gin and prepares to kill Willie. But the police, alerted by the Kid who read Willie's note, arrive. While Marcus and Lois get into a shootout with the police, Willie escapes with a toy elephant for the Kid and rushes to the Kid's house. Before he can give it to the Kid, the police shoot and wound him. Willie sends the Kid a letter from the hospital. Marcus and Lois are going to jail. Because the cops shot an unarmed Santa Claus and the letter served as evidence in his favor, Willie gets off the hook. After he recovers and pays his debt to society, he plans to visit the Kid. Meanwhile, he's arranged for Sue to take care of him until his father gets out of prison.
Summary Criticism: Another witty black comedy from the Coen brothers, this excellently crafted screenplay is an unconventional take on the "bitter man changed by an innocent kid" premise.
Bad Santa (2003) - imdb
Bad Santa (2003) - wiki
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