Alcoholic safe-breaker Willie (Billy Bob Thornton) uses his cover as a department store Santa to rob the very same stores, this year his plans are thrown into jeopardy by a small stupid child and a greedy security guard. The film spends its course riffing off the idea that rather than Santa being an avuncular, cheery, rotund old guy, he is in fact an unreformed drunk with a taste for loose women.

In an attempt to take advantage of the aforementioned stupid small child, by moving into his house, Willie becomes unwittingly drawn into his life. This leads to a series of situations (including a genuinely hilarious three way fight with Willie's partner in crime, who happens to be a midget) that gradually transform Willie and allow him to develop some real relationships. That this is done without ever heading for the sickly sweet scenes that tend to dominate the usual Christmas movie drivel is impressive in itself, that it remains funny and even shocking right up to the end (where youngsters witness the police shooting down santa on Christmas eve) is a minor miracle.

It is worth noting that the film isn't without its downsides, it occasionally veers towards unwanted levels of puerility, and Bernie Mac is truly terrible as the security guard attempting to muscle in on the scam. However, these are minor quibbles with what is without a doubt the funniest, blackest comedy of 2004.

Best movie I've saw in a while!
Review date: 2004-12-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

This movie is hilarious. I am definetely buying it when it comes out in the UK. There is constant swearing in it however but you can't help but laugh. I think I must of laughed the whole way through it. Buy it!

Badder!
Review date: 2004-12-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Funniest movie I can remember watching for a long while. Some language, but surely Santa wouldn't be bad if he was an all-American, have a nice day, good guy? ......And then there wouldn't be a movie.
Great antidote to the normal seasonal sloppy stuff.

Badder Movie
Review date: 2004-11-24 Rating: 2 out of 10

I have watched a lot of films and I love a good comedy, but this movie stinks.
I think I am quite a liberated non christian type of guy. I swear more than the average person but this movie was annoying due to the fact it contains pointless swearing and profanities. If constant reference to anal sex with large women is your kind of movie, then you will probably enjoy it.
Is anybody really serious thinking that this is Hollywoods view of a normal life as opposed to the "American Dream" scripts we often see?
The lead character is supposedly a brilliant safecracker (Billy Bob Thornton) who dresses up as Santa to rob large chainstores in an inside job. Yeah right, this happens a lot in normal life doesnt it! The alcoholic tendancies and the loathing of himself apparently is the excuse for all the nasty references to just about everything and anybody in the film. Santa pulls the lovely local bar maid (Lauren Graham) as she apparently like to have sex with foul, drunken losers who dress up as Santa. Get real!

In line with Hollywood and general Christmas type of stories, all well that ends well, and that is probably the best part of this film. Yes, you guessed the end credits.

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