Synopsis
Grinch lives in solitude just outside Whoville. He hates the townsfolk and despises Christmas. Cindy Lou, a six-year-old girl who believes in the spirit of the festival, sets out to reform him.
Cast
Jim Carrey…Grinch
Taylor Momsen…Cindy Lou Who
Christine Baranski…Martha May Whovier
Jeffrey Tambor…Mayor Augustus Maywho
Josh Ryan Evans… Young Grinch
Molly Shannon…Betty Lou Who
Clint Howard…Whobris
Bill Irwin…Lou Lou Who
Best Character
It’s hard to choose the best character for this film without going for the obvious choice. Jim Carrey’s incredible performance means I have to choose the Grinch. His comedic timing and delivery are perfect, the character goes through a lot of development and the whole film is about him. So it makes sense really.
Best Supporting/Obscure Character
If your favourite supporting character isn’t Max then we really cannot be friends. He is the best boy ever (even though the dog playing him is a girl) and you can’t change my mind.
Favourite Scenes
Cindy Lou and the Grinch meeting for the first time is really something special. Firstly, the scene is absolutely hilarious. Secondly, it’s the first glimpse of him showing that he cares for other people. Yes, he does end the meeting by wrapping her up like a present, but he could have thrown her into the sorting machine.
I feel like the ‘You’re an idiot’ scene is a lot of people’s favourite. We all know Jim Carrey is a great comedic actor, but this scene really sells it.
The scene where they talk about where the Grinch came from is interesting, funny and a little bit sad.
I love the bit where he eats the Santa plate, that is a classic. However, it’s all about when he starts to feel the spirit of Christmas and there’s the little montage of him making Martha a Christmas present. The part where the other schoolchildren are mean to him always makes me really sad though.
Who Father: Hey, Honey! Our baby’s here. [looks closely at the baby] He looks just like your boss.
This line went straight over my head as a kid, it’s quite funny now. As an adult, you realise just how many adult jokes are in this film. Don’t even get me started on the keys in the bowl at the party…we all know what that means.
So much happens when Cindy visits the Grinch that I don’t even know where to begin. I’m always a little bit blown away at tiny Taylor Momsen’s acting here, her facial expressions and line delivery are pretty much perfect.
Obviously, Jim Carrey is very funny here and the moments where he’s getting right up into the camera are hilarious.
The Whobilation scene is very funny, but also really sad. It’s so nice to see the Grinch finally being accepted, but obviously, the Mayor has to ruin everything. He is my least favourite character.
I do still love this scene though, mostly because of the funny moments. The Grinch beating kids at the sack race and laughing in their faces, the pudding contest where someone feeds him something toxic green-coloured that isn’t pudding but they don’t specify what it is.
Best Quotes/Lines
Almost every single line of this film could be included here, so I’ve really tried to narrow it down to just a few. This is my favourite Christmas film of all time and I can pretty much quote it word for word.
THE GRINCH: Any calls?
ANSWERING MACHINE: [computer voice] You have no new messages.
THE GRINCH: Odd. Better check the outgoing.
ANSWERING MACHINE: [Grinch’s voice] If you utter so much as one syllable, I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GUT YOU LIKE A FISH! If you’d like to fax me, press the star key.
THE GRINCH: Hmm. Oh well.
This is one of the lines that I have to recite every single time I watch this film, mostly just the ‘I’ll hunt you down and gut you like a fish’ part.
THE GRINCH: One man’s toxic sludge is another man’s potpourri. [Max barks] I don’t know, it’s some kind of soup.
I love the insinuation that the Grinch eats both potpourri and toxic sludge.
THE GRINCH: All right, you’re a reindeer. Here’s your motivation: Your name is Rudolph, you’re a freak with a red nose, and no one likes you. Then, one day, Santa picks you and you save Christmas. No, forget that part. We’ll improvise… just keep it kind of loosey-goosey. You HATE Christmas! You’re gonna steal it. Saving Christmas is a lousy ending, way too commercial. ACTION! [Max knocks the red nose off]
BRILLIANT! You reject your own nose because it represents the glitter of commercialism. Why didn’t I think of that? Cut, print, check the gate, moving on.
I recently found out that this scene was mostly improvised and Jim Carrey is making fun of the director of this film Ron Howard. All in good humour though, Ron Howard loved it apparently.
THE GRINCH: We’re gonna die! We’re gonna die! I’m going to throw up, and then I’m gonna die! Mommy, tell it to stop!
This is a line I like to quote quite often because it really makes my boyfriend laugh. The first time we watched this film together he didn’t realise just how much I love it, and when I perfectly quoted this with the right intonation and everything he was shocked to say the least.
CINDY LOU WHO: Santa, what’s the meaning of Christmas?
THE GRINCH: [bursts through the Christmas tree] VENGEANCE!
I don’t know why but this always makes me laugh.
THE GRINCH: MAX. HELP ME… I’m FEELING.
I love this line because it’s funny, but also because after it the Grinch shows Max real affection for the first time.
Most Iconic Outfit
Cindy’s red cloak with pink fur, matching fluffy mittens and pink fluffy ear muffs is very cute. Young me would have loved an outfit like that.
I feel like the Grinch’s lederhosen has to take the award for most iconic outfit. It brings us one of the funniest moments in the film and it’s just so random but suits his character so well.
Best Musical Moment
Cindy Lou singing Where Are You Christmas is both great and terrible. It’s a cute moment, but sorry Taylor Momsen you are very good at singing now, but back then not so much. You were only seven through so it’s fine.
You’re a Mean One Mr Grinch is a pretty iconic song. I love how it moves between the actual recorded song and Jim Carrey singing it on set.
Final Thoughts and Fun Facts
I love this film so much I’ve already watched it twice this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch it again on Christmas eve. This is a little tradition I’ve held up for the last few years, I either watch this film on Christmas eve or when I put my tree up.
The most interesting fact about this film for me is the jewels in Martha May’s hair when she is explaining the Grinch’s backstory are from the tree topper that the young Grinch made for her. I have never noticed this before, but now I know it’s such a fun little detail.
In the original adaptation of the Grinch, his main dislike of Christmas is due to the loud noise and extreme gluttony. However, for this movie, an extensive backstory was created to explain why he hates Christmas.
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