The timeless classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a cautionary tale about kindness and generosity. The tale of the prodigal businessman serves as a stern warning to anyone who would forsake their fellow man in service to their own interests. Director Ti West and writer Nathaniel Halpern have managed to take one of history’s most recognizable stories and create a truly remarkable adaptation in Ebenezer.
Few Christmas stories have been retold more than A Christmas Carol. That puts the bar quite high for Ebenezer. Would this latest version of Dickens’ beloved tale be able to stand out or fade into obscurity, an uninspired retelling of a story everyone already knows? Fortunately, the answer is quite clear: Ebenezer is quite possibly the greatest adaptation of A Christmas Carol ever filmed.
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Set in Victorian London, it’s been seven years since Jacob Marley (Ian McKellen) died in his office on Christmas Eve. His longtime friend and business partner, Ebenezer Scrooge (Johnny Depp), sits in his office, just as he did that fateful day, shooing away charities, criticizing the poor, and even arguing about the merits of the holiday with his nephew, Fred (Sam Claflin).
Ebenezer is not merely the same story with a fresh coat of paint.
That night, after a full day spent counting money, mistreating his employee, Bob Cratchit (Rupert Grint), and generally being miserable, Ebenezer goes home only to be visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley. Clad in chains, Jacob comes bearing a message that his greed had led him to an eternity of suffering, but that it isn’t too late for Scrooge.
Jacob tells Ebenezer that he’ll be visited this night by three spirits. He implores him to take heed of their visits and become a better person before it’s too late. Knowing what lies ahead, Jacob begs Ebenezer to allow this to be the last they see of each other.
To be clear, this setup is exactly what audiences have come to expect anytime they hear “A Christmas Carol” or “Ebenezer Scrooge.” No one familiar with A Christmas Carol will be surprised by how Ebenezer lays the groundwork for the rest of the film. Still, Ebenezer is not merely the same story with a fresh coat of paint.
The film works as both a supernatural thriller and a dark comedy.
Instead, the film works as both a supernatural thriller and a dark comedy. Johnny Depp runs a clinic in comedic timing, being especially effective at using his face to convey very dry, deadpan humor. Even more impressive is that he’s wearing quite a bit of prosthetic makeup on his face to transform him into the titular miser, and yet his eyes, mouth, and cheeks do some seriously heavy lifting to show both humor and a wide range of deeply felt emotions.
A less talented actor may have been content to play the part of a grumpy old man and, eventually, a reformed, jolly Christmas enthusiast for the last five minutes. Depp, by contrast, grows gradually, much like Scrooge in Dickens’ novella.
Andrea Riseborough as The Ghost of Christmas Past is absolutely phenomenal. The Ghost of Christmas Past is serving a penance for not making the most of her days while she had time; a fitting theme for a man such as Ebenezer.
Her eyes, solid white bulbs, the same shade as her ghostly white skin, are chilling to say the least. It creates the atmosphere of someone truly otherworldly. Yet, the Ghost of Christmas Past also acts with a modicum of innocence and curiosity, regularly asking who or what something is. Being able to clearly see the past, she is merely guiding Scrooge, but in the process she completely disarms him.
The one weak spot in Ebenezer comes from its supporting cast.
The Ghost of Christmas Present (Tramell Tillman) is very different. His humanity seems to be a hallmark of his presence. He’s interested in eating every bit of food he can find. He’s surly and curt; a combination that works well for managing Ebenezer.
Ebenezer doesn’t pull any punches. The dark, gothic fantasy vibes are an intentional reminder to audiences of the gravity of Ebenezer’s decisions. Charles Dickens allowed the specters who visit Scrooge to serve as gentle nudges toward a more festive version of himself. It largely remains a festive holiday story of redemption.
Ebenezer envisions the story as much more dire. The apparitions aren’t interested in whether Ebenezer feels good throughout the process; rather, they deliver the message. It makes for some remarkably bleak moments that work beautifully to deliver the film’s central theme.
The one weak spot in the film comes from its supporting cast. While Freddie Lee-Grey is spectacular as Bob’s son Tim, Rupert Grint is underwhelming as Bob Cratchit. He’s not bad, and he’s done well with what he’s got to work with, but the ghosts and Ebenezer were simply written better.
The same is, unfortunately, true of Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, and his wife, Clara (Daisy Ridley). Again, these aren’t bad actors, but they have the misfortune of playing less developed characters than the stars of Ebenezer.
That’s truly disappointing because everything is nearly perfect. The cinematography captures every scene in such a way that it completely transports the audience to its dark fantasy setting. Adding to the ambiance is a score by Tyler Bates that shows he fully understands each scene at a granular level. The music swells with suspense, then fades to an imperceptible volume as the characters and scenery fall still.
In addition to the original score, there is a selection of fitting Christmas carols. Several characters sing in different time periods, and yet together, Silent Night. Ebenezer’s opening credits also include Carol of the Bells by legendary musician John Williams; the same arrangement used in 1990’s Home Alone.
With but a few minor flaws, Ebenezer is quite possibly the best film adaptation we’ve got to date of a tale as old as time. Mercifully, instead of attempting to reinvent the wheel, the film shows that a great story of redemption starts with the understanding that it’s never too late to change. Fittingly, this year’s first instant classic of the season reimagines a classic in its own right with great success.
Ebenezer is coming exclusively to theaters on November 13.
Rating
With but a few minor flaws, Ebenezer is quite possibly the best film adaptation we've got to date of a tale as old as time.
