Bad Santa is a 2003 film directed by Terry Zwigoff, produced by Joel and Ethan Coen and starring Billy Bob Thornton as the title character. Bernie Mac, John Ritter, Lauren Graham, Lauren Tom, and Cloris Leachman are also featured.
The story principally concerns two con men, Willy and Marcus, who, each Christmas season, seek work at a different shopping mall dressed as Santa Claus and one of his elves. Rather than spreading good cheer, the duo's motive is to rob each establishment, a strategy that becomes complicated when they encounter an 8-year-old who ends up inadvertently teaching Willy the true meaning of Christmas. In addition to being a criminal, Willy is also a bitter and abusive drunk.
The movie attracted bad publicity before its release from critics who likened the movie to an "evil twin" of Miracle on 34th Street and chided The Walt Disney Company for allowing such a beloved figure as Santa Claus to be trashed by its Miramax subsidiary. [1]
The film was John Ritter's last role—he died prior to its release—and is dedicated to him.
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