How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000, Ron Howard)
03/12/2023
How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a 2000 film directed by Ron Howard. The film is based on Dr. Seuss' book of the same name and stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch, with Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Bill Irwin and Taylor Momsen in supporting role.
It is the second adaptation of the book after the television special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and the first Dr. Seuss film to be made into a feature film.
Produced by Imagine Entertainment, it was distributed by Universal Pictures in the United States on November 17, 2000, while in Italy it was released on December 7 of the same year. It was originally the second highest-grossing Christmas film of all time behind Home Alone (1990) until both films were surpassed in 2018 by the third film adaptation of the story. It won the Oscar for Best Makeup, as well as receiving nominations for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. The film is dedicated to the actress Jean Speegle Howard, mother of Ron Howard, born on January 31, 1927 and died on September 2, 2000, shortly before the theatrical release.
In a snowflake the town of Whoville is discovered, inhabited by the Whos; they all really like Christmas, which is considered the most important holiday of the year. The only creature that hates Christmas is the Grinch, a green and hairy misanthrope who lives in a cave on nearby Mount Crumpit together with his dog Max, feared by all the Whos due to his mean spirit.
On a past Christmas, the little Grinch made a Christmas angel out of metal scraps and jewels as a gift for Martha, but, due to a clumsy attempt at shaving, he showed up at school with a scarred face, being mocked by Augustus and the other classmates for this, expect Martha, causing him to lose patience, declare his hatred for Christmas and flee to Mount Crumpit, where he has lived in solitude ever since.
The Grinch goes to Whoville for the celebrations and is well received by the Whos, participates in various events and starts having fun until Augustus gives him an electric razor, reminding him of the humiliation of his childhood, and hurts him even more when he publicly declares to Martha, giving her a flashy engagement ring and a new car. He then decides to take revenge by shaving the mayor, destroying the Christmas tree in the square and wreaking havoc in the city. However, he discovers that his revenge didn't work after the townspeople take a spare tree and return to celebrate, and he angrily retreats home, while Cindy is left dejected by what happened.
When Christmas night arrives, the Grinch vows to crush the Whos' Christmas spirit and, after receiving an inspiration from Max, decides to steal all their gifts, decorations and food while they sleep: he then dresses up as Santa Claus, then builds a motorized sleigh and goes to Whoville together with the dog Max disguised as a reindeer after the gift tour of the real Santa Claus.
Later, the redeemed Grinch joins the Whos party and invites them to a Christmas lunch in his cave.
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