Ebenezer Movie Review

“Ebenezer” is a new version of the classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, with a darker tone and more spirited Spirits. It has a focus on the bleaker side of Victorian London, with beggars in the street and poor-houses full to the brim. But when a certain greedy businessman gets a night full of Ghosts and Spirits — will a change be coming to old Scrooge?

The money-lending business of ‘Scrooge and Marley’ is in full swing. Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Johnny Depp) is a flinty man, penny-pinching to the end. His partner in the business is Jacob Marley (played by Ian McKellen) who is also more concerned with money than with people.

The lone employee is a humble clerk named Bob Cratchit (played by Rupert Grint). He is nearly worked to death by the two overbearing owners. Then one day, Marley suddenly dies. The business goes on, with Scrooge being an even bigger burden to poor Cratchit.

One of most hated things in life of Ebenezer Scrooge is Christmas. He has nobody at home with which to celebrate. So he considers this a waste of a perfectly good day where he could stay open and collect more money. But a pleading Bob Cratchit gets Ebenezer to allow Bob to have Christmas Day off.

Men from a local Charity house come to visit the business to see if Ebenezer would care to donate money. Well, that is a mistake they will never make again. Scrooge quickly gets them out the door. His nephew Fred (played by Sam Claflin) comes by to invite Ebenezer to dinner.

Ebenezer Scrooge had grown up really missing his older sister. It pained him when she died. And now her only living son, his nephew, is too much for Scrooge to take. Fred and his wife Clara (played by Daisy Ridley) would remind Scrooge of memories he would rather keep buried.

It is Christmas Eve, and Ebenezer Scrooge is seeing strange things. He gets a visit by the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Marley is now in eternal torment, because during his life he would only value money and material goods. He chose not to be kind and forgiving and thankful. Marley tells Ebenezer that the same fate will await him when he dies.

But Ebenezer will have an unusual chance to change things around. He will be visited by three Spirits tonight. These times with the Ghosts will give Scrooge an opportunity to review his life and correct his mistakes. This will be his only chance.

There is the first visit by the Ghost of Christmas Past (played by Andrea Riseborough). This pale lady with white eyeballs scares Ebenezer to no end. But she is there to show him what things in his life happened that were good. He adored his older sister. He was enamored with a lovely lady when he first got into the business world.

Ebenezer Scrooge was deeply in love with Belle (played by Ellie Bamber). But then his inner greed and need for wealth got in the way. Belle left him, and Scrooge was never the same. After that, he was much more concerned with money and riches.

Ebenezer gets another visit to spend time with the Ghost of Christmas Present (played by Tramell Tillman). This Ghost is very short-lived, and he will not last too long. He shows Ebenezer the background about Bob Cratchit. Bob and his wife are barely getting by, but they live life with hope and joy. Even with a small, crippled child they have peace in their house.

They make another short trip to the home of Fred and Clara. Scrooge sees that his nephew and his wife wanted Ebenezer to come over to see them. There is an empty place setting on the table. It is set for the mean and dark-hearted uncle – just in case he will show up some day.

Ebenezer Scrooge is afraid he is not able to take any more. But the final visit will be from the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (played by Robert Strange). This jet-black specter does not talk, and he does not bear Ebenezer any good news. The things that Ebenezer Scrooge  sees seem to be cruel and very disheartening.

But are these the things that ‘will’ be, or just he shadows of things that ‘might’ be?

Ebenezer Scrooge later awakens in his own bed. He has not died, and thieves have not stolen his stuff after he is gone and buried. But what sliver of hope and new light has the prior night provided? Scrooge proclaims himself a changed man. Then he goes about to prove that change, for the rest of his life.

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“Ebenezer” is, of course, not a new story. It is based on the Charles Dickens novel written more than 180 years ago. But what is new is the idea to put a Director in charge (Ti West) who has a lot of experience with horror and scary movies. After all, “A Christmas Carol” is a Ghost story.

Playing the lead role is Johnny Depp, and his three supporting cast members. That would be ‘Makeup’, Hair’ and ‘Costuming’. His portrayal of Mr. Scrooge hits the high notes because of the excellent work done by these three supporters. The ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’ scowl look was perhaps borrowed from Grumpy Cat.

Actually all of the cast does a great job to flesh out the other characters in the movie. Andrea Riseborough (Ghost of Christmas Past) is extremely spooky with a pale face and blank white eyes. Tramell Tillman (Ghost of Christmas Present) seems a jolly enough fellow, but his time with Scrooge is fleeting.

Ian McKellen (Jacob Marley) has a short but memorable role as Scrooge’s partner who visits him once again years after he has died. Rupert Grint (Bob Cratchit) plays a downtrodden clerk on the verge of losing everything and must always please his boss, Mr. Scrooge.

“Ebenezer” may be thought to be just another retread of an old Christmas chestnut. But with an energetic performance from Johnny Depp, this version will not bring about a “Bah, Humbug”.