A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)

A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Bob Clark

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DVD Reviews of A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)

DVD Review: Bob's Best is Our Holiday Treat
Summary: 5 Stars

Set in the 1940's in the weeks before one fateful Christmas day (for what has to be one of film's quintessential American nine-year olds), one Ralph Parker begins his tactical scheme to convince his parents to gift the one thing he prizes most: an official Red Ryder-carbine action-200 shot-range model air rifle. My mother would have disdainfully called this a "bb-gun", but she shares a lot with Ralph's mom's sentiments. "You'll shoot your eye out!"--boy, does that bring back memories. And, with that, Shepherd and Clark begins the connection for the audience's holiday journey with the family Parker.

Along the way (and through his eyes and ears), Ralph's travails with family, school, social miscreants, and the unique traditions and trappings of Xmas will be crystalized on celluloid. Also, as another wonderful film, "It's a Wonderful Life", could only take place in Bedford Falls, NY, this movie could only be in its northern Indiana setting. It only adds to the fun with its wintery Midwest perspective and customs. Finally, tag on to this Shepherd himself providing the wonderful voice-over narration to the story of his childhood thoughts, pathos, and sentiments of that era and you get a unique, gleeful mix.

Peter Billingsley gives what may be his best performance as 'Ralphie' in a role most people will always associate him with. Who else could blurt out his one true desire in one lightning fast sentence to his mom, only to realize in the next split-second it was the worst thing he could say (and then quickly try to heroically recover from it) than this child actor. He may not have been used in many movies, but his precocious nature is pitch perfect here. He brings a kid's true depth of feeling to this banner day.

"My mother hadn't had a hot meal for herself in 15 years." The underrated Melinda Dillon is equally up to the task as the mother that he attempts to win over in his Christmastide plan. Whether she's chastising Ralph with her 'mother-bb-gun-block' or using a pig as an hilarious example to motivate the younger Randy to eat dinner, she's one special parent and character in this movie. While it's Ralph's story, it's the mom that holds this family (and the holiday) together despite efforts by her oldest, and her husband.

"My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium--a master." Veteran character actor Darren McGavin almost steals the show with his portrayal of the "Old Man". He strikes fear in his sons, and challenges his wife with his poor artistic taste. But, he can also rescue his boy from a "pink nightmare" and save Christmas dinner by taking the family to a Chinese restaurant. He's a one-of-a-kind, grumpy (but merry) father. It's another one of the successes of this movie: all of the characters in it are great in their roles, no matter how small. From Ian Petrella as Ralph's little brother Randy to Zack Ward as the bully Scut Farkas, they are all consummate.

This brings us to director Bob Clark. Who would have thought the one to have brought to filmdom the likes of the 'Porky's' movies and 'Rhinestone' could bring a holiday classic to life? Well, Bob brings all the comical traditions and anxiety of the holiday to this one. It's also a fine edge that his movie successfully walks with its jaded take on holiday commercialism and not lose its sentiment. His attention to detail of the time and characters portrayed are spot on. But, that should not surprise those who know he's the same director for such underrated fare like the suspense classic "Black Christmas" and the drama "Murder by Decree"--other favorites of mine.

When this movie was first released on DVD in 1999 by Warner Studios, it was a bare bones package. However, the studio rectified that this past October by producing the 20th anniversary special edition of the film. You now get a beautiful picture, in both full and widescreen editions, an insightful commentary track by Clark and Billingsley, and a second disc loaded with other fun stuff that collectors and fans are sure to enjoy.

While it wasn't a commercial success when it opened in theaters around November 1983, like another great holiday film (IaWL), later repeated TV viewings brought it deserved recognition. From its heap of quotable lines to its identifiable family quirks and seasonal habitude, it has much to relate to. Certainly, with this film, its easy to recount the Ralph in me (then at that age) and the Old Man (me now with my family) and to treasure all of it. And, it's that resonance, in my opinion, that makes it Bob's best.

Description of A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)