Christmas in July: Bad Santa (MA 15+) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

Christmas in July at The Revival House
Bad Santa (MA 15+, 2003) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth

Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) is a career criminal and professional drunk who uses his job as a department store Santa as cover for elaborate holiday heists with his partner Marcus (Tony Cox). Every year, Willie poses as Santa, cases the store's security, and steals everything once the mall closes on Christmas Eve. But this year, everything goes wrong when a lonely, ignored eight-year-old boy named Thurman (Brett Kelly) befriends Willie, seeing in him a father figure he's always wanted. As Thurman's innocence and genuine love begin to crack Willie's hardened exterior, the career criminal finds himself torn between his planned heist and his reluctant feelings for the boy. Meanwhile, a department store detective (John C. Reilly) grows suspicious of Willie's activities, while Thurman's wealthy but neglectful grandmother (Cloris Leachman) offers Willie a way out if he'll betray Thurman's trust.

Director Terry Zwigoff brings his characteristic cynicism and unexpected warmth to this 2003 dark comedy that could have been merely offensive but instead becomes genuinely moving. Billy Bob Thornton delivers a career-defining performance, making Willie reprehensible yet somehow sympathetic—a man whose hardened exterior hides a capacity for love he's spent years suppressing. The film doesn't sanitize Willie's behavior; he drinks constantly, schemes relentlessly, and says terrible things, yet we understand his transformation through Brett Kelly's earnest portrayal of Thurman's unconditional love. John C. Reilly brings bumbling charm as the well-meaning detective, while Cloris Leachman steals scenes as the vulgar grandmother. The film balances crude humor and genuine sentiment, proving that a movie can be both outrageously funny and surprisingly tender. It's a modern Christmas film for those tired of sentimentality, yet somehow delivers authentic emotion.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Sunday, July 5th at 6:45PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: MA 15+ (Frequent coarse language, Sexual references)