I'm not sure the world needed a movie about a grizzled, gun-toting Santa Claus, but we sure got one with “Fatman.” Mel Gibson plays the titular Chris Kringle, living up north with Mrs. Kringle (the excellent Marianne Jean-Baptiste) and his elves. Kringle's business is waning. There are fewer and fewer “nice” kids every year to receive his toys, and he spends more and more time dropping off coal for “naughty” brats.
One of these brats takes his lump of coal personally, and he hires a hit-man (Walton Goggins) to go after Kringle. This isn't Kringle's first rodeo, however, and when the epic, bloody showdown comes, the fat man is ready.
“Fatman's” premise makes it a comedy, but filmmakers Eshom and Ian Nelms play the story straight, giving us a dark Christmas story, indeed. It's an unlikely movie, and it works because they allow it to play out to the end as an action-drama, never getting jokey. Gibson reminds us of why he is still a movie star, exploring Kringle's disillusionment and world-weariness, and he benefits from a talented supporting cast, especially Jean-Baptiste. She lends a lot of gravitas to Kringle's cookie-baking wife and partner.
“Fatman” clearly will not be everyone's cup of tea. A dark comedy, action thriller, noir, Christmas western is a mixture of genres that will leave many viewers scratching their heads, just as it did many of the film executives to whom the Nelms brothers pitched it. The movie is an instant cult classic. If you find yourself wondering why anyone would make a film like this, then it probably isn't for you. If you heard the premise and said “Hell Yeah!,” then you should definitely click “Play” and hold on for a wild sleigh ride!
4 stars out of 5
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