Jim Carrey And The Heart Of Ebenezer Scrooge

When Jim Carrey was prepping for his performance as the Grinch, in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, little did he know that nine years later he would be playing the original Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge, in Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge has inspired countless imitators over the years including Dr. Suess’ Grinch. Scrooge is a man who is bitter and miserly and only through a Christmas miracle is he able to find redemption. Jim Carrey was asked to share his insights into the famous Dickens character.

“I think Scrooge is abandoned. He is a child abandoned. I think that the only thing that we have to be aware of in this world is the unloved. And that’s where it all comes from. So, Scrooge started out there. And trying desperately for a long time to cling to whatever is good, and his sister, the things that he cares about, but slowly being disappointed by life over and over again.”

“There was a transition, when we have a break-up scene with Belle, where it’s a different person, you know? And even when he was a child, as children do, they try to think positively about their situation. Try to make the best of it. And I think, that by the time he’s thirty-five, he’s about done with making the best of it. And that void can’t be filled anymore unless he goes really inside himself. And the ghosts are his opportunity to see himself. So he’s introduced to himself, and I think everybody, given the facts, if they could see the whole picture, would have that catharsis. What Scrooge learned is that he is worthy of love.”

When Jim was asked why he wanted to play Scrooge in an animated feature he replied, “It’s the whole picture. It’s a dream of every actor to have the greatest material in the world, the greatest talent in the world to play with, and a top flight director. We have all that. I’m completely honored to be part of this cast and part of this whole experience. It’s really a high point.”

When asked what his favorite Scrooge has been over the years he replied, “Alister Simms was my favorite from when I was a little kid. I watched Alister Simms every year. But that’s a man whose face was born to play that part. His whole being had an acid-reflux bitterness to it that was just splendid to watch. And I kind of wanted to have that feeling, that deep feeling that causes rheumatism that will eventually eat you alive from inside, you know? Really, I based the character from the get-go on the lies we believe about ourselves. And this person obviously believed that he was unworthy of love, so why should love exist for anybody? I think that is where most of our dysfunction comes from. A feeling of worthlessness”

During the interview Jim was eager to share a connection between his acting partner Cary Elwes (Princess Bride) and the original inspiration for Scrooge. “Scrooge was based on one of his great, great, great uncles named John Elwes. He was actually a template for the character. He was a member of Parliament and he as so cheap that he would wear the same clothes all the time until they were in tatters. He wore a wig that he found in the garbage, and he wouldn’t eat or buy any new game until the meat he had, even if it was rancid, was finished. He was the character Dickens based his story on.”

Jim was asked why he played all the Christmas Ghosts and he responded, “Every spirit was an aspect of Scrooge’s personality, basically, and that was how Bob (Robert Zemeckis) was approaching it.” When asked what the hardest part was he replied, “You have to create the ambiance and the belief in your surroundings in you head.” When the physicality of the role was mentioned, Jim shared, “It’s a dream come true for that. I mean it quite honestly. It’s just absolutely challenging in every way. You can use everything you’ve got. Your fingers turn into these long spindly, wonderful things and it’s great. It’s like puppeteering in a way.”

Jim Carrey strongly believes that this is a story that needs to be told again and that it is very appropriate for our times. “Scrooge was like the original corporate raider.” When he was asked about what he thought about the final product he said, “I think that Bob Zemeckis has created the best version so far.”