Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (film)

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (promoted theatrically as The Grinch) is a 2000 American film based on the 1957 story of the same name by Dr. Seuss. It was the first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into a full-length feature film.

Because the film is based on a children's picture book, many additions had to be made to the storyline to bring it up to feature-length, including some information about the backstory of the titular character. Most of the rhymes that were used in the book were also then used in the film, though some of the lines were to some degree changed, and several new rhymes were put in.

The film also borrowed some music and character elements (such as the Grinch's green skin tone) that originated in the 1966 animated TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The film was directed by Ron Howard, produced by Howard and Brian Grazer, and starring Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon, Josh Ryan Evans (in his final theatrical role), and introducing Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.

The film spent four weeks as the number-one film in the United States. With Home Alone 2: Lost in New York being the first, The Grinch is the second highest-grossing holiday film of all time^[2] with $345,141,403 worldwide.^[1] It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, and was also nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

Plot

All the Whos down in Whoville enjoy celebrating Christmas with much happiness and joy, except the Grinch (Jim Carrey), who resents Christmas and the Whos with great wrath and occasionally pulls dangerous and harmful practical jokes on them. As a result, no one likes or cares for him. Meanwhile, six-year-old Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen) believes everyone is missing the point about Christmas by being more concerned about the gifts and festivities. After having a face-to-face encounter with the Grinch at the Post office, in which he saves her life, Cindy Lou becomes interested in his history; she asks everyone what they know about him, and soon discovers that he has a tragic past.

The Grinch actually arrived in Whoville by mistake when he was a baby, and was adopted by two elderly sisters. Although he showed some sadistic tendencies as a child, he was rather timid and not the cruel, selfish person he would become. He was ridiculed by his classmates (particularly by Augustus May Who (Jeffrey Tambor), the current Mayor of Whoville) because of his appearance, with the exception of Martha May Whovier (Christine Baranski), who was courted by both the Grinch and May Who. One Christmas season, he made a gift for Martha, but attempted to shave his face after being made fun of for having a "beard", cutting himself by accident. When his classmates and teacher saw his face covered with shaving tape the next morning, they laughed at him. He lost his temper, went on a rampage and ran away to live on a mountain to the north of Whoville, Mount Crumpit.

Cindy Lou, touched by this story, decides to make the Grinch the main participant of the Whobilation, to the great displeasure of Mayor May Who, who reluctantly agrees after pressure from the townspeople, who have been warmed by Cindy Lou's generous spirit. When Cindy Lou goes to Mount Crumpit and offers an invitation to the Grinch, he turns her down. He gradually changes his mind, however, due to the promise of an award, the presence of Martha at the celebration and the chance to upset the Mayor. Just as the Grinch is enjoying himself and is almost won over, May Who gives him an electric shaver as a present, reminding him of his awful humiliation at school. May Who then asks Martha to marry him, promising her a new car in return. This causes the Grinch to openly berate the Whos for thinking that Christmas is about gifts that they will just dispose of later, in the hopes of making them too ashamed to celebrate the holiday. He then goes on to ruin the party by burning the Christmas tree with a makeshift flamethrower (although his actions prove fruitless as the Who's have a spare tree, which the Grinch sees them erect before he leaves).

When he discovers that his attack has not removed the Whos' Christmas spirit, the Grinch instead concocts a plan to steal all of their presents while they are sleeping. Creating a Santa suit and sleigh with his own dog, Max, as a "deer", the Grinch flies around Whoville, stealing all of the Whos' Christmas gifts. He is almost discovered by Cindy Lou, but lies to her in order to get away. The next day, the Whos discover the Grinch's scheme, and May Who denounces Cindy Lou as the root of this catastrophic disaster. However, her father, Lou Lou Who (Bill Irwin), the Whoville postmaster, finally stands up to him and reminds everyone that they still have Christmas spirit, and that the principal meaning of Christmas is to spend it with family and friends. The people accept his speech and begin to sing. Hoping that the change of mood would inspire the Grinch, Cindy Lou goes to Mount Crumpit to find him.

The Grinch reveals that he intends to push the stolen gifts off the top of the mountain after he hears the Whos crying. However, instead of crying, he hears the joyful singing of the Whos. Infuriated over the failure of his plan, the Grinch has an epiphany about what Christmas is really about: not material gifts, but spending time with loved ones, an insight that profoundly touches him and causes his heart to grow to three times its original size. When the sleigh full of stolen gifts begins to go over the edge of the cliff, the Grinch desperately tries to save them to no avail. However, when he realizes Cindy Lou has come to wish him a merry Christmas and is in danger of falling off the cliff with the sleigh, the Grinch finds enough strength to lift the sleigh, the gifts and Cindy Lou to safety. After a long descent down Mount Crumpit, the Grinch returns to Whoville with Cindy and the gifts. He confesses to the burglary, apologizes for his actions towards the Whos and surrender himself to the police as they arrive, but the Whos reconcile with him, much to May Who's dismay. Martha turns down May Who's proposal and decides that she would rather stay with the Grinch instead. The redeemed Grinch starts a new life with the Whos, commemorating the Christmas feast with them in his cave.

Cast

• Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a misanthropic green creature who despises Christmas and the Whos of Whoville. It is revealed in his origin story that he started to hate Christmas after his school classmates humiliated him when he tried to shave his face. Before Jim Carrey was cast to play the Grinch, Jack Nicholson and Eddie Murphy^[3] were briefly considered.
  • Josh Ryan Evans as an 8-year-old Grinch; his humiliation at school by May Who is what drives him into a hatred of Christmas.
• Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, a young Who who thinks the Christmas spirit in Whoville is lost. (In this version, she is six years old, whereas in the book in 1957 and TV special in 1966 by Chuck Jones she was "no more than two").
• Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus May Who, Whoville's rude, arrogant, and judgmental mayor. He is revealed to be a school bully who picked on the young Grinch over his shaved face, which is what motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas in the first place. He also denounces the Grinch every chance he gets and wants to have a Grinch-less Christmas.
  • Ben Bookbinder as an 8-year-old Augustus May Who; he tormented the young Grinch, which then motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas.
• Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's lifelong crush and the romantic interest of May Who. She ultimately rejects the Mayor and chooses the Grinch.
  • Landry Allbright as an 8-year-old Martha May Whovier. She shows compassion towards the young Grinch.
• Bill Irwin as Lou Lou Who, Cindy Lou's father and the postman of Whoville.
• Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Cindy Lou's mother and a rival to Martha May in a house-lighting contest.
• Kelley as Max the Dog and Frank Welker as his voice, who is the Grinch's pet dog and only companion on Mt. Crumpit. It is unknown how or when The Grinch got him.
• Clint Howard as Whobris, the mayor's sycophantic aid.
  • Reid Kirchenbauer as an 8-year-old Whobris.
• Mindy Sterling as Clarnella Who, one of the Grinch's childhood caretakers.
• Jeremy Howard and T. J. Thyne as Drew Lou and Stu Lou Who, troublesome sons of Lou and Betty, and brothers to Cindy Lou.
• Jim Meskimen as Officer Wholihan, the chief of police.
• Bryce Dallas Howard as surprised Who.
• Anthony Hopkins as the Narrator.

Production

The movie was shot between 1999 and 2000. Dr. Seuss' wife, Audrey, visited the set in October, 1999.^[4]

Development

Ron Howard is the film's director and producer.

On September 26, 1999, it was announced that Ron Howard would direct and produce a 2000 American fantasy Christmas comedy film titled How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (promoted theatrically as The Grinch) with Brian Grazer, and also with the budget of $123 million based on the 1957 story of the same name by Dr. Seuss, which would be released in theaters on November 17, 2000.

Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman would write the film. It was also announced that the film would star Jim Carrey (who plays the title character), Josh Ryan Evans, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Ben Bookbinder, Christine Baranski, Landry Allbright, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon, Frank Welker, Clint Howard, Reid Kirchenbauer, Mindy Sterling, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jim Meskimen, Jeremy Howard, Kelley and T. J. Thyne with narration by Anthony Hopkins.

Universal Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film. James Horner would compose the music for the movie. Imagine Entertainment co-produced the film.

Soundtrack

1. "Kids Today" – Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen *
2. "Grinch 2000" – Busta Rhymes and Jim Carrey
3. "Green Christmas" – Barenaked Ladies
4. "Christmas of Love" – Little Isidore and the Inquisitors
5. "Lonely Christmas Eve" – Ben Folds
6. "Grinch Schedule" – Jim Carrey *
7. "Better Do It Right" – Smash Mouth
8. "Whoville Medley" (Perfect Christmas Night/Grinch) – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
9. "Reindeer" – Jim Carrey *
10. "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" – The Eels
11. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" – Jim Carrey
12. "Christmas Means More" – Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey *
13. "You Don't Have to Be Alone" – *NSYNC
14. "Where Are You, Christmas?" – Faith Hill
15. "The Shape of Things to Come" – James Horner
16. "Memories of a Green Childhood" – James Horner +
17. "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?" – James Horner and Taylor Momsen
18. "Stealing Christmas" – Anthony Hopkins, James Horner, Jim Carrey, and Taylor Momsen ~
19. "The Big Heist" – James Horner +
20. "Does Cindy Lou Really Ruin Christmas?" – James Horner +
21. "A Change of Heart" – James Horner +
22. "The Sleigh of Presents" – James Horner +
23. "He Carves the Roast Beast" – James Horner ^

Legend:
*Dialogue
+ Instrumental
~ Includes Narration and Dialogue
^ Includes "Welcome Christmas"

Reception

Critical reception

Rotten Tomatoes gave the film with a rating 53%, with the critical consensus reading, "Jim Carrey shines as the Grinch. Unfortunately, it's not enough to save this movie. You'd be better off watching the TV cartoon."^[5] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 46 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".^[6] Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars, referring to it as "a dank, eerie, weird movie about a sour creature who lives on top of a mountain of garbage, scares children, is mean to his dog, and steals everyone's Christmas presents," and saying, "There should be...a jollier production design and a brighter look overall... It's just not much fun."^[7]

Box office

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas opened at number-one with a weekend gross of $55,082,230, for an average of $17,615 from 3,127 theaters and staying at #1 for a total of 4 weeks. It closed on April 30, 2001, after five months, with a final gross of $260,044,825 in the United States and Canada and an additional gross of $85,096,578 in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $345,141,403.^[1]

Awards

The film garnered three Academy Award nominations, including Best Costume Design (Rita Ryack) and Best Art Direction (Michael Corenblith and Merideth Boswell), and nominees Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. At the Golden Globes, Carrey was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, losing the award to George Clooney for O Brother, Where Art Thou?.

It also won the Blimp Awards for Favorite Movie and Favorite Movie Actor at the 2001 Kids' Choice Awards. The film won a Saturn Award for Best Music. However, it was also nominated for two 2000 Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Screenplay, but lost to Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and Battlefield Earth respectively.

Home media

The film was released on VHS and DVD on November 20, 2001. A Blu-ray/DVD combo pack was released on October 13, 2009.

Remake

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have announced they are working on a computer-animated remake of the film. Peter Candeland is set to direct, following the remake to The Cat in the Hat, with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri producing and Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss author Theodor Geisel, will executive produce.^[8][9] It will be released on November 17, 2017.^[10]

See also

• The Grinch
• The Grinch Video Game
• List of films based on Dr. Seuss books

References

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (film)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

• Official website
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Internet Movie Database
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the TCM Movie Database
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Box Office Mojo
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Rotten Tomatoes
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Metacritic