I really can't believe I haven't written about this Christmas special before. We've been watching "A Very Murray Christmas" for years, now. It has become a Christmas tradition, and it never gets old!
Bill Murray plays a version of himself. In the story, we find him about to host a Christmas special that has gone to hell. He was supposed to have guests like George Clooney, Pope Francis, and Iggy Azalea, but a blizzard has shut New York City down, and it's just him and Paul Shaffer. A power outage finally axes the show, much to everyone's relief, and Bill and Paul retire to the hotel bar for drinks and Christmas songs with the hotel staff, which includes Jenny Lewis, Maya Rudolph, Buster Poindexter, and the band Phoenix. Jason Schwartzman and Rashida Jones play an engaged couple whose wedding has been ruined by the blizzard.
It would be impossible for me to overstate my delight in this odd, little movie! It's a Christmas special for grownups, but it isn't dirty, or cynical, or silly (see "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas"). The songs range from the familiar (“Silent Night” “Sleigh Ride”) to the obscure (Phoenix's cover of an un-released Beach Boys song, “Alone on Christmas Day”) to the weirdly delightful (Albert King's “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'”) The best number, musically, is probably Maya Rudolph singing “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home),” but my favorite piece is the cast's rendition of the Pogues classic, “Fairytale of New York.”
As great as the music is, the story and the offbeat humor are just as good. Bill Murray's sad sack demeanor is perfect for this tale of a guy whose Christmas isn't turning out like he expected, and “A Very Murray Christmas” is ultimately a joyous and sweet story about making the best of things. During this Covid Christmas, it's especially resonant, and at only 55 minutes, it's easier to digest than Christmas dinner!
5 stars out of 5
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