A Very Murray Christmas

Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his T.V. show due to a terrible snow-storm in New York City.

I may be rating this special a little low. It is hard to say, because I did not know going in to it what this would be, and I was somewhat disappointed that it was not funnier or more silly. It basically amounts to a series of special guests singing Christmas songs. Which is nice, but really nothing all too different from any other special, and seems like a waste of Murray's talent.

One thing I found the most confusing was that some people were themselves (Murray, Chris Rock, George Clooney) while others (Jason Schwartzman, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones) were not. Why not just have everyone be themselves?

This is the subversive Christmas special you'd expect from Bill Murray. It's not a FILM, with a PLOT, like so many (millenials?) are complaining about. Maybe they're too young to remember what an old-timey Christmas special was. It was some super-annuated celebrity picking up a cheque filming a Christmas special in mid-summer with the help of some Hollywood pals. But there are also a bunch of alleged Bill Murray fans complaining they wanted to see him in Ghostbusters or Groundhog Day character. What's the matter with you people? If you want to see Murray in those characters, rent those movies. The hint is right in the title - a Very Murray Christmas. Right? Bill Murray takes the Christmas special template, drains out the saccharine and injects his B-flat take on Christmas. Some pals come along for the ride but nobody is really who they seem to be. Is that Amy Poehler noted comedian or is she a character. Wiffled-spined Michael Cera is actually a wanna-be super agent. The waiters are a music group. The waitress is stunning and talented Jenny Lewis. And Miley Cyrus, who I wouldn't jump in to save if she was drowning in my bathtub, delivers a rendition of Silent Night that will have you re-evaluating all you thought you knew, loved and hated about that song. This is a Chistmas special for people who love Christmas once, probably hate it now but wished they still loved it, are driven to madness by shtty mall Christmas music, and maybe wouldn't mind being snowed in at a NY hotel bar with a guy like Paul Shaffer playing the piano while randoms join in and cheer each other by singing. As a guy who thinks the original Grinch cartoon is the greatest Christmas special ever shown on TV, and who thinks It's a Wonderful Life is Hollywood at its most crass, I will watch A Very Murray Christmas every December from now on, assuming I'm willing to cough up for Netflix.

Anyone looking at a Christmas special written by/for Bill Murray and expecting a plot and story line is either too young or too dumb to just enjoy it. It is Bill at his best. Calm, collected and one hell of a showman. It's dark and bright in the best of ways. Great sound quality, good people being people.

The progression of the movie was very well done. I was content with it initially; but as it went on I loved it more and more. I watched the musical scenes twice (Silent Night maybe more) in one sitting.

In 10 years everyone will be calling this a Christmas must watch. If you know Bill Murray and enjoy him, you can't lose.

This Christmas special has a very 2020 vibe even though it was made 5 years ago. A blizzard in Manhattan on Christmas? Unable to see your friends and Family? Sounds familiar. Stellar performances all round, although I do wonder how much acting was actually done. Still, one of my go-to Christmas watches for a nice somber vibe.

This is a unique take on a christmas special. Giving a fun and a witty perspective on Murray's personal life it takes a simple look on a christmas eve giving a fun filled celebration of christmas with Hollywood celebrities.

Personally loved it though many critics criticised it.

Rating - 3.5/5