How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 Animated Film Review)

 

I've half a mind for joy recently. I've a desire for something that embraces the idea of good and something that celebrates the wholesome. But, there is a lesson in that want; when I was younger, me and my Dad watched Groundhog Day and he was of the opinion that it's funnier in the first half and falls a little flat in the second. A character where you find hilarity in the either acidic wit, sarcastic words or just the punchy comedy is going to lose that spark when they now have to manage a sincere turn about-face to warmth, for sincerity it might be, is hard to lend humour from. Indeed, that's one of those parts of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the 1966 TV Special that's perhaps important; it's funny in the first half with the scene munching mean spirited nastiness of the Grinch.

 

In a world where the Who's of Whoville celebrate Christmas with an effervescent and perhaps almost audacious cheer, the Grinch is a being with a heart of sizes too small and with his dog Max, observes the resounding cheer with aggravation. There's an over the top expression to all things; even the relaxed Who's presents which are for the sake of a part in the film, mostly loud intensely bombastic musical instruments and things of noise are presented in a way where it's hard not to feel a little empathy for the Grinch; his bothers are the noise and the great feasts he is not party too. It could be the humour of getting a bit older and feeling weary that leads me to have an empathic moment for me. But it has to end when the plan of course leads to; if the Who's will celebrate Christmas loudly and intensely, he will steal it away from them, with the animation and the song 'You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch' interspersing and sung by the late Thurl Ravencroft (one of the original voices, the second in fact, of Tony the Tiger) bringing a sleazy gravity to each repugnant act. Whipping your dog as a sleigh dog, even presented with the happenstance of comedic animated effect, shouldn't lend more empathy.

 

The Grinch as a character represents, at least to me, a tired feeling of feeling bothered so lashing out at those bothering you; even if the harm is unintentional or that maybe there was a better path. It makes sense the Grinch's first test of his solidified confident sneer is a child in the middle of the night, that could put even the most stern of hearts to the test. It's a moment but it's a good moment. Warmth amid the dark and the first evidence that even the most heartless are human.

I don't disagree with my Dad, nor think that maybe Bill Murry movies are funnier before the heart about face. Maybe there's a corniness to the scrooge like cumedogen changing heart. But I can't deny for myself in an age of weariness, how much this cartoon and moments like that do exactly as they need to; a reminder of the power of kindness and the hope that our tomorrows can be filled with a little more of them, even if the realizations of some could do with more grounding. I'd recommend a watch over some warm food with people you care for near, for a maximum feeling of joy.

 

Picture taken by me.

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