Sick Product of a Sick System

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I have no words. Every horror you could've conceived about this anathema has come to fruition. For the sake of you and your family, if you loved the original, stay as far away as you possibly can.

Firstly, I studied and performed in musical theater, so from a purely musical theater perspective I feel it was very good on its own. Not Broadway level by any means, but excellent at a college level. Therefore it gets a star and a half for that. From a story perspective, it was an abomination of the original storyline. Trying to apply political correctness to a 1940 period piece is like making a politically correct version of Les Miserable. The cultural diversity depicted is totally out of character to the time and place. The politicing at the beginning was also totally out of place and suggests a political agenda behind the production. The storyline was butchered from the original. If the period aspect of the production had been changed to a modern time period, and adapted as such, I would have gladly given it 7 more stars. As it stands, the most I can muster is 1 1/2. Unfortunately, there is no 1 1/2 and it doesn't deserve a rounding up, I am left with a one star option.

Three freaking hours! Anyone who managed to see all of this Christmas train wreck must surely,by the end have wished for a Red Ryder BB gun, just so they could shoot their eyes out!Every promo for the special stressed the fact that it starred Maya Rudolph, who got top billing as Ralphie's mother (the rest of the supposedly "star-studded" cast was filled with other SNL has-beens and C-list never-weres.) This reflected the producer's blind conviction, against all evidence, that audiences find Maya Rudolph pleasant, talented, funny, or attractive. SHE IS NONE OF THESE.I wish they would give Rudolph her own expensive TV special, costarring Lena Dunham, Rebel Wilson, and Rosie O'Donnell. Then the Hollywood execs who insist on putting these mediocrities in front of cameras would lose a bunch of cash, and the 99.9% of us who have better taste could miss seeing all of them at the same time.

As a true aficionado of the original, I was at first disappointed and confused. I was on the verge of giving up during the first 45 min. Then, something started to grow on me. Sure, there were many elements that were not part of the original, but the essentials were there. True, the presence of Broderick on set was a stretch, but then, so is the notion of characters bursting out in song and dance every five minutes. (Am I the only one that thought he was an Alton Brown dopplganger?) I though, for the most part, the additional elements did add to the overall telling of the tale. (I was sorry that the Ovaline/Orphan Annie segment was lost). More positives must be noted in the overall staging of the production -- moving seamlessly between sets, quick costume changes, etc. cannot be ignored. And as with any live performance, the occasional goofs (well, ones that the audience might pick-up on) lend an even stronger bit of entertainment. (I noticed the small clock falling off the cellar door and the "purkey/turkey" exchange). I'd also like to know the secret of the tongue-on-flagpole scene. His tongue really did seem firmly attached! So, to my purist brethren -- enjoy the original. Everyone else -- sit back and relish in the journey.