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Revision as of 05:30, 3 January 2015
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (promoted theatrically as The Grinch) is a 2000 American Holiday fantasy-comedy film from Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, based on the 1957 book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. It was the first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into a full-length feature film. Because the film is based on a children's picture book, many additions had to be made to the storyline to bring it up to feature-length, including some information about the backstory of the titular character. Most of the rhymes used in the book were used in the film, though some were slightly changed, and new rhymes were put in as well.
The film was directed by Ron Howard, produced by Howard and Brian Grazer, and starring comedian Jim Carrey. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but spent four weeks as the number-one film in the United States. The Grinch is the second highest-grossing holiday film of all time with $345,141,403 worldwide, only behind Home Alone.
Plot
In the city of Whoville, everyone celebrates Christmas with much happiness and joy, with the exception of the cynical and misanthropic Grinch (Jim Carrey), who despises Christmas and the Whos with great wrath and occasionally pulls dangerous and harmful practical jokes on them. As a result, no one likes or cares for him.
Cindy Lou, an 8-year-old girl, believes everyone is missing the point about Christmas. After becoming aware of the Grinch's existence, she starts to create interest in the Grinch and his history, asking everyone what they know about him, and soon discovers that he has a tragic past.
He actually comes from a mistake by a wrong wind when he was a baby, and is adopted by two elderly sisters. Although he shows some sadistic tendencies as a child, he was not the cruel and selfish person who he became; he was ridiculed by classmates (mostly by Augustus May Who) because of his appearance - with the exception of Martha May Whovier. Before he shaves his chin after remembering what all the kids said, he made a gift for Martha. When everyone sees The Grinch's face covered with shaving tape the next morning, he becomes an outcast. He loses his temper and runs away to live on Mt. Crumpit.
Cindy, touched by this story, decides to make the Grinch the main participant of the Whobilation, to the great displeasure of Augustus, who reluctantly agrees. But when she offers an invitation to the Grinch, he turns down her offer. He gradually changes his mind, however, and arrives late to the proceedings. But just as the Grinch is enjoying himself, Augustus not only proposes to Martha in marriage, but also gives the Grinch an electric shaver as a bad joke. Enraged, The Grinch rants about how the whos only celebrate Christmas for gifts they will dispose of later anyway in the hopes of making them too ashamed to celebrate the holiday. He then goes on to ruin the party and upset Cindy Lou.
The Grinch is pleased with his rant & rampage, but much to his dismay, he soon realizes that his attack does not remove the spirit of Christmas from them, and that they will celebrate the commemoration of the Christmas tomorrow. Angry with the idea of spending another Christmas alone in his cave, the Grinch who is convinced that the Whos only celebrate Christmas because of their extravagant gifts decides to steal all their belongings while they sleep. Creating a Santa suit and sleigh, the Grinch's burglary is successful, but he forces Max to pull all the things stolen when his flying sleigh runs out of fuel. The next day, the Whos discover the Grinch's scheme, and Augustus takes the opportunity to denounce Cindy Lou as the root of the whole catastrophe. However, her father, Lou Lou Who, reminds everyone that they still have the Christmas Spirit - the one thing that does not come from a store - and that the principal meaning of Christmas is to spend it with family and friends, and not about giving or receiving gifts and putting up decorations. The people accept his speech, and begin to sing.
The Grinch plots to destroy all the stolen gifts after he hears the Whos crying. However, he hears the joyful singing of the Whos. Frustrated at the failure of his plan, the Grinch realizes that Christmas means much more than mere material gifts, an insight that profoundly touches him and makes his heart grow three times its original size. However, the stolen gifts nearly fall off the cliff, and the Grinch desperately tries to save them. They prove too much for him, but when he realises Cindy Lou has come to wish him a Merry Christmas, this provides the Grinch with enough strength to lift the gifts to safety and right over his head. After a long descent, the Grinch appears along with Cindy and the gifts, explains what has transpired and apologizes for his misanthropic aggression towards them. The Whos forgive the Grinch, while Martha turns down Augustus's proposal and decides to stay with the Grinch instead, much to The Grinch's delight. The redeemed Grinch starts a new life with the Whos, and commemorates the Christmas feast with them in his cave.