Supposedly, the f-word (including the variations thereof) is used in this movie 147 times (which must be some sorta record for a Christmas movie). I believe it. The f-word is used often and well throughout "Bad Santa," and most of the time, it's said by Billy Bob Thornton, who's perfectly cast as a really, really bad department store Santa Claus. As you might expect, this is NOT a movie for everyone, especially those who are easily offended. It's twisted, mean-spirited, and cruel. It also happens to be very funny.
When "Bad Santa" was first released, I wasn't very interested. The previews looked funny, but I was low on time and money, so I didn't go outta my way to see it. But after a few weeks, people kept recommending it to me. Those who know me well know that I like vulgar humor, and those people assured me that "Bad Santa" had lots of it. Eventually, I decided to check out the movie, and I'm glad I did. There was no real plot to speak of, and the movie has plenty of problems with logic, but the most important thing is that I laughed a lot while watching it.
The main reason that the movie works is Billy Bob Thornton. He really is perfect for the role, and as funny as his lines are, it's the way he delivers them that makes them so great. I heard that the role was originally intended for Bill Murray, but I can't see him in the role, and I doubt he would have been as good. I like Bill Murray, but Billy Bob Thornton truly made the role his own. Also in the movie is Tony Cox. If you've ever seen a black midget (I think that the term "midget" has become offensive, though I'm not sure why) in a movie, it was probably this guy. His most memorable roles were in "Friday" and "Me, Myself & Irene." He's really good, and hilarious, in "Bad Santa." Brett Kelly, who I've never seen before, plays "The Kid." If he had a name, I don't think it was ever mentioned in the movie. He did a good job in the role, though it must have been pretty humiliating. Lauren Graham (she plays the mom in the TV show, "Gilmore Girls"... she's quite the M.I.L.F. in that show) is really likable as Billy Bob's love interest, though one of the many problems with logic in the film is that it's never explained what she sees in the guy. There's nothing about Billy Bob Thornton's character that makes him a catch, but for some reason, despite his horrible personality, this exceptionally pretty woman likes him. Not even remotely believable, but whatever. Comedian Bernie Mac is pretty good in the movie, but also pretty useless. Finally, John Ritter is in the movie, and he's good. Sadly, this would be his last film. He's actually worked with Billy Bob Thornton before, in "Sling Blade" and the short-lived TV series, "Hearts Afire."
Strangely enough, "Bad Santa" was written by John Requa & Glenn Ficarra, whose only other writing credit is that they wrote "Cats & Dogs" together (and they're working on the sequel, "Cats & Dogs 2: Tinkles' Revenge"). I never saw "Cats & Dogs," but I know that it's a family film. "Bad Santa"" is definitely NOT a family film. All of you parents out there, let me repeat that; "Bad Santa" is NOT a family film. I'm sure that on more than one occasion, a couple of clueless parents took their wide-eyed children to see "Bad Santa' only to find out that it's not the feel-good Holiday film they thought it would be. Far from. I'm not a fan of the MPAA rating system (which is now nothing more than a tool to make directors cut their films to get a particular rating), but parents really need to pay attention to the R-rating that this film so richly deserves.
"Bad Santa" was directed by Terry Zwigoff, the man responsible for directing "Ghost World" and the brilliant documentary, "Crumb." He seems to be a weird guy, and his films only confirm that. Still, he's a comic book geek, and I like his movies, so he's a good egg. "Bad Santa" is the closest thing to a mainstream film that he's ever done, but it's still pretty out there. Terry Zwigoff kicks ass.
If the word "f*ck" bothers you, if you think that Christmas is a sacred institution that should never be tainted, if you think Santa Claus should never be mocked, if you don't like politically incorrect humor, than run as far as you can from this movie. But if you're like me, you should definitely go see "Bad Santa." You'll laugh your ass off.
Scale of 1-10: 8