A Christmas Carol

All reviews I read were fairly negative. I watched this movie anyway and really liked it. This movie presents a more authentic depiction of mid-19th century London than past versions and it certainly isn't candy-coated. The acting is excellent and there is a very clear message about greed and its effects. The plot follows the basic structure of the story - the important components are the same but it is a very loose adaptation.The important thing is that it succeeds in transmitting the intended message. If you are looking for a faithful, by-the-book adaptation, this is not the movie for you. I recommend watching it with an open mind.

If you're expecting something middle of the Road, and dare I say it, along the same lines as War of the worlds, you'll be disappointed, this is a very different, relevant and gritty.

I would say it improves as it progresses, the first twenty minutes or so are very slow, but once you get into the core of the story it becomes excellent.

Very gothic, very bleak, it's dark, it even looks dark, memories of Jamaica Inn.

Terrific acting, Pearce is the standout as Ebeneezer, others also impressed, Charlotte Riley and Stephen Graham were great.

I thought it was very impressive. 8/10

Kept my on the edge of my seat for al 3 hours. It was a darker Christmas Carol and well worth it.

Loved this. I don't understand reviews that criticise it for being dark and bleak. Dickens was dark and bleak, and very angry at the state of England. It is a mistake to see his stuff as romantic and cosy Christmas fare. From the very opening scene of a boy pissing on Marley's grave, we are alerted that this adaptation is close to the bone. It is visceral acting that shines a light on the human condition, and brings this story into the 21st century. I don't have a problem with the swearing, and do not find the language out of place, as some have argued. Dickens wrote for the common man, the man on the street - literally, as his stories were read out in instalments to groups that gathered round to hear. They were often working class, whose language was vernacular, earthy and very like we hear here. This is A Christmas Carol revivified, made fresh for today's audience. Lenny Rush as Tiny Tim is a revelation, gorgeously acted. There is a tragic beauty to his scenes that takes one's breath away, contrasting with the schmaltz of earlier productions. Guy Pearce gives a rather sexy (dare I say it?) edge to Scrooge, who I always thought of a musty old codger. Here, he is lean and austerely elegant and has a whole philosophy of life that has the ring of truth to it. The age-old problems of profit at any cost is brought home in a series of apocalyptic images, to the haunting Welsh lullaby 'Suo Gân'. It isn't only Scrooge who is brought to his knees. Go on, dim the lights and settle down to be horrified, intrigued, mesmerised. And, yes, moved. Everything a good ghost tale should be.

If you didn't like this movie just because you didn't like it, then fine, but to write a review about it being inappropriate is bewildering to me. You knowingly watched a movie on FX (known to push boundaries), with a TV-MA rating & even the promos were dark & obviously not for children. So if you ignored all that & watched with your kids, then that's on you.