Spirited: A Modern Twist on a Classic Christmas Tale
On Christmas Eve, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future traditionally select a lost soul in dire need of moral and emotional redemption from a life of sin. This year, that soul belongs to Clint (Ryan Reynolds), a successful businessman who has seemingly lost all fear and conscience. However, instead of learning the intended lesson, Clint inadvertently triggers a personal crisis within the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell), who is clearly weary of his moralizing role.
Will Ferrell as the Ghost of Christmas Present in “Spirited”
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” stands as one of the most renowned (and didactic!) works in popular culture, boasting countless references in modern cinema, ranging from episodes of “Beavis and Butt-Head” to full-fledged adaptations helmed by directors like Richard Donner (“Scrooged”), Mark Waters (“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”), and Robert Zemeckis (“A Christmas Carol”). The role of Scrooge has been portrayed by a diverse array of actors, including Bill Murray, Jim Carrey, and Matthew McConaughey.
A Corporate Take on the Afterlife
In this fresh take on the timeless tale, the classic narrative remains largely intact: the three Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future embark on a journey through the protagonist’s life, delving into his most intimate memories in an attempt to conduct a painful therapy session and ultimately guide Clint onto the righteous path. However, there’s a twist: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are not merely magical spirits but rather employees of an international corporation that has been dedicated to reforming human souls for millennia. Like ordinary mortals, they dream of retirement, engage in office romances, and fear their malevolent superiors. They might even receive a salary. A specialized team of special effects experts is responsible for recreating personal moments from the client’s life, and the work is carried out according to a specific script pre-approved by the director. They even have their own HR department.
Octavia Spencer as Kimberly in “Spirited”
A Sketch Show Disguised as a Musical
The parody of corporate culture is arguably the only genuinely “fresh” idea in Sean Anders’ (“Daddy’s Home”) film, as “Spirited” otherwise closely mirrors the source material, supplementing it with postmodern gags and simple songs against the backdrop of a decorated Christmas tree. At times, it resembles a sketch show, a drawn-out Christmas episode of “Saturday Night Live,” where the plot serves as a backdrop for jokes rather than the other way around.
Ryan Reynolds as Clint in “Spirited”
The musical genre, like everything else in this film, is quite conventional: there is no dazzling choreography of “Singin’ in the Rain,” the dramatic scope of “Les Misérables,” or the melancholic sincerity of “La La Land.” Seeing Ryan Reynolds singing is certainly a rare treat, but not as significant or necessary as it might initially seem. Will Ferrell, on the other hand, departs from his comedic persona, transforming into a perpetually tired ghost who secretly longs to return to simple earthly pleasures, perhaps even to film a third installment of “Anchorman.”
Final Thoughts
“Spirited” feels like a typical streaming product, created solely to occupy a space in the Apple TV+ holiday movie catalog and, at best, be used for background viewing in a friendly gathering. One thing is reassuring: making it all must have been a lot of fun.