As a huge Bill Murray fan, I have watched this special every December since it came out in 2015, and I believe there is a subtle hidden plot point revealed early in the show. Here’s the setting: Bill Murray has been booked to perform a live tv show on Christmas Eve from the Carlyle hotel in New York. There is a record setting blizzard that has closed down the city, and none of the other stars booked to sing with him have arrived. The opening credits have Murray singing The Christmas Blues to Paul Shaffer on piano. He is feeling depressed. Then the show’s two producers show up, (Julie White and Amy Poehler) and attempt to convince Bill to go on stage. He resists until the phone rings. All think the call is from George Clooney, but Bill is surprisingly rude, “How did you get this number!” And “Don’t ever do this again, ever!” When asked, Bill says the call was from his sister. Now, at first I thought this was just a joke, but now I think it really was his sister on the other end of the line.
Let’s take a step back and consider the situation. As Murray’s character Xavier Cross said in 1988’s Scrooged, “Who would schedule a live tv show on Christmas Eve!?” and why would Bill commit to do such a thing? The Murrays are a large family. Ideally, he would want to spend the holidays with them. Bill is the fifth of nine siblings. I knew many of his five brothers from seeing them on the big screen. However, before this special, I was not aware that Murray had any sisters. It turns out he does, and his older sister Nancy Murray is a Dominican Nun.
Now, famously Bill does not have an agent. To book Bill Murray for a gig, you need to have access to his private 800 number. If you have it, you call and leave a message, or pray he actually picks up. (The phone scene may actually be a reference to that as well.) But this is the gig he agreed to. He and Schaffer are the only ones there early enough to not be bogged down by the snow. Why?
My theory is that the person on the phone with Bill is Nancy Murray. The broadcast was a charity event to benefit one of her many causes, and he attempted to pull previous co-stars of his, like Clooney, to perform with him. As the show appears to be falling apart, he only agrees to continue after he speaks to her. With no other celebrities, and no audience, he still gets on stage, weeping, until the power goes out mercifully saving him from his obligation. I think the motivating factor for his performance is not the contract he signed
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No soul, about two funny lines, and an increasingly awkward feeling as Murray sang flirtily bantering songs with progressively younger women.
I'm sure it cost a ton to make, but it feels like some inside joke between the cast that got released to the public.
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Synopsis: Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a massive snowstorm in New York City. Through luck and perseverance, guests arrive at Gotham’s Carlyle Hotel to help him — dancing and singing in holiday spirit.
Director: Sofia Coppola
Writers: Sofia Coppola, Bill Murray, Mitch Glazer
Cast:
- Bill Murray as Himself
- George Clooney as Himself
- Miley Cyrus as Herself
- Paul Shaffer as Himself
- Amy Poehler as Liz
- Julie White as Bev
- Dimitri Dimitrov as Himself
- Michael Cera as Talent Agent
- Chris Rock as Himself
- David Johansen as Himself
- Maya Rudolph as Lounge Singer
- Jason Schwartzman as Elliott
- Jenny Lewis as The Waitress
- Rashida Jones as The Bride
- The band Phoenix as The Chefs
Rottentomatoes Score: 71%
Metacritic Score: 69/100
After Credits Scene?: Yes
VOD Options: Netflix
“If you are looking for a Christmas movie this holiday season, look for literally anything else.”
Christmas is a time of giving, but all A Very Murray Christmas did was take away. It took away my patience, it took away my will to live, it took so much away from me that by then end of this film I was merely a husk of the man that I was before it had started. A Very Murray Christmas is a Christmas special of sorts wherein Bill Murray pretends to be depressed, and then he and a few other celebrities sing Christmas carols (rather poorly).
Imagine an episode of Saturday Night Live, but one that only consists of the bad parts. What you would have is A Very Murray Christmas. Jokes that fall flat, acting that barely passes as acting, and bizarre music breaks that almost put you to sleep plague A Very Murray Christmas. This movie plays out like a shitty soap opera wherein the cast sings every once in a while. I’m aware that people love Bill Murray, but you can absolutely tell when that guy’s heart is not in it. Sure he does a great job as an actor when he wants to, but when he’s only there for the pay check he has the charisma of a sack of potatoes. The jokes that were being thrown around were weak at best, and they all tried to capitalize on the same punchline: Bill Murray is sad at Christmas. Not only were these jokes not funny the first time, but they weren’t funny 30 times after that either.
I honestly am not sure what was trying to be achieved with this film. The subject is not one that transfers well into a traditional movie narrative. This special would have been a million times better if it were a stage play, and celebrities were being cycled out to sing the same songs. With a stage performance you could have had a full orchestra instead of one piano, you could have had applause that consisted of more than three people, and you could have gotten rid of the “story” that took place in between all of the singing (which was easily the worst part). The film picks up in its second “half” (although it takes place 3/4 of the way through) when Bill Murray passes out and dreams of a stage production with Miley Cyrus. At last they finally got an actual singer in this shit show, but then they still force themselves into the songs that she is singing. This was easily the best part of this “Christmas special” because it was what the entire thing should have been. Extravagant sets, actual music artists, and no bullshit jokes.
Hell, even if the movie couldn’t have been
... keep reading on reddit ➡In honor of hipster deity Bill Murray dropping his Christmas single with Phoenix, here are the top ten christmas jingles that are on every hipster’s playlist. Link to full youtube playlist here and at the end.
“Christmas in the Room” - Sufjan Stevens
In the indiesphere, Sufjan Stevens reigns supreme as the Christmas Music Czar. Over the last decade Stevens has released 100 Christmas tracks spanning 10 volumes. The massive undertaking began as an exercise in learning to appreciate Christmas, and after 100 songs it’s safe to say Stevens does indeed appreciates Christmas - either that or he has gone certifiably insane. As with all things Sufjan Stevens, the answer is likely both. “Christmas in the Room” kicks off our top ten playlist due to its intimate picture of Christmas. Rather than the commercialization of Christmas, of which hipsters are not a fan, the song homes in on what truly makes Christmas special: quality time with those you love.
“The Christmas Waltz” - She & Him
Zooey Deschanel, patron saint of the manic pixie dream girl, croons this classic tune. The sparse folk backing and cozy lyrics bring to mind a scene of idyllic Christmas. This song sets the atmosphere all christmas songs strive for: a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night.
“I Wish it was Christmas Today” - Julian Casablancas
The Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas covers an iconic SNL classic. If you don’t remember the original, perhaps the avant-garde dance moves of the SNL crew will remind you
“Santa Stole My Lady” - Fitz & The Tantrums
One thing learned from hipster Christmas music is that Santa Claus isn’t always the nice guy everybody makes him out to be. "Santa Stole My Lady" has Fitz accusing Santa of being a philanderer in the most soulful way possible.
“Don’t Shoot Me Santa” - The Killers
We’ve all been there. One minute he's jolly old Saint Nick, and the next he's pointing a gun around As if more proof is required that Santa Claus can be a shady character. Stay safe out there this Christmas.
“Christmas in Harlem” - Kanye West
Nothing riles up the general public faster than [an unabashed love for the polarizing Kanye West](htt
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I went out today, so my boyfriend went out-except I got back really early and I have no idea what to do with myself or when he's coming back. I'm watching the Bill Murray Christmas special-which is really kind of adorable.
Have any other specials I should watch?
Shit was weird.
http://imgur.com/nBqqja0
I was wondering if there is anyone in this sub with some doodling skills that could draw a sketch of whatever "Bill Murray Chewbacca" conjures up in your artistic mind. My girlfriend and I usually make the majority of our gifts for one another and I am currently taking all the scenes I can find with Chewbaccca (gf's favorite star wars character) and replacing his lines with Bill Murray lines from movies and TV shows. I was thinking if I could print out a picture to introduce the gift it would be a good laugh, but I can't draw. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f46ivuCahK4&spfreload=10
