Johnny Depp’s return to a major Hollywood film comes after an eight-year hiatus, with “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol” opening this week. The 116-minute adaptation places Depp in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly figure from Charles Dickens’ classic, in a movie rated PG-13 for frightening material.
Depp’s last significant film appearance was in 2018, before a period marked by public legal battles involving his ex-wife Amber Heard. Since then, his filmography has included only two smaller projects, one of them in French. This new film places him front and centre as a grizzled, aged Scrooge, a character that fits with the darker and eccentric roles Depp has taken in the past, such as in Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” and “Sweeney Todd.”
The film’s opening presents Depp’s Scrooge as exaggerated and almost muppet-like, a stark shift from Depp’s usual charm. The performance initially feels like a version of Captain Jack Sparrow stripped of allure and hardened by bitterness. However, as the story progresses through the visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, Depp’s portrayal softens, aligning with the emotional beats familiar to audiences of the Dickens tale.
The movie’s title, “Ebenezer,” suggests a focus on the character similar to recent origin stories like “Cruella” or “Maleficent,” but the story remains a straightforward Victorian-era adaptation. The choice to rename the film appears to be a simple attempt to differentiate it from the many versions of “A Christmas Carol” that have come before.
Director Ti West, known for his work on the horror trilogy “X,” brings some elements of his style to the film, including a few jump scares and the addition of zombie-like ghouls chasing Scrooge. These moments, however, do not transform the movie into a horror or fresh take. Andrea Riseborough’s Ghost of Christmas Past, with white eyes, is the creepiest spirit, maintaining some eerie atmosphere.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Tramell Tillman of “Severance,” diverges from the traditional jolly and warm spirit. Instead, Tillman’s character is rude and unsmiling, a bar fly figure who undercuts the usual message of joy and generosity associated with the ghost’s role.
Supporting performances include Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, appearing briefly in human form on the day of his death. McKellen delivers his scenes with panache, though they are notably short. Rupert Grint plays Bob Cratchit with a gentle, bleary-eyed demeanor, reflecting the character’s struggles caring for Tiny Tim.
West’s involvement in the project raises questions since his previous work has been more firmly rooted in horror than family holiday films. The movie struggles to find a consistent tone, wavering between dreary and underwhelming. It lacks the festive spirit or visual warmth often expected in Christmas adaptations, and it fails to offer the lush London winter setting that might have improved its mood.
Ultimately, “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol” is another version of the Dickens story, with Johnny Depp’s presence its most distinctive feature. His delivery of the phrase “Bah humbug!” comes naturally, but the film around him feels uncertain and uninspired.
According to NY POST.
