Few movies in recent memory quite live up to their title in the fashion that Bad Santa does. This is to say that all of you should take the title very seriously, for this isn't your grandmother's Kris Kringle. Bad Santa is easily the most irreverent holiday movie I've ever seen. In fact, it's one of the most irreverent movies I've ever seen, period!

In the dark holiday comedy, Billy Bob Thornton plays Willie, an unlikable, foul-mouthed alcoholic thief who dresses as Santa each year in an attempt to rob department stores blind. His partner in crime (and the brains behind the operation) is Marcus (played by Tony Cox who you may remember from the Farrelly Brothers' Me, Myself and Irene), a little person with a foul mouth of his own.

Bad Santa is also populated with a world of diverse characters including a street smart mall supervisor (played by Bernie Mac), a subdued mall manager (played by the late John Ritter) and a sweet natured bartender with an obsession for Santa Claus (played with likable charm by the Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham).

I love a good holiday movie, and with Bad Santa, I've already got two this season. Elf was a magical, warm and fuzzy family film, while this movie represents it's North Polar opposite. And before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I'm sick in the head, I want everyone to know that much of this movie did offend me, but that was it's goal. And in the end, it wasn't offensive without a purpose.

Director Terry Zwigoff's (Ghost World and Crumb) objective here is quite simple. To put our beloved Santa in as many compromising, disgusting situations as humanly possible. So, we see Santa having sex (in a hot tub, a department store dressing room and, of course, in the back of a car), we see Santa drink booze, we see Santa smoke cigarettes, we see Santa steal, we see Santa curse out children, and last but certainly not least, we see Santa beat the crap out of a teenager. It's all pretty funny in a sick and twisted sort of way (although many will just be plain offended), and Zwigoff is given free license to do whatever he wants because, after all, the movie is called Bad Santa. And after the real Santa sees this picture, Zwigoff and his eccentric team of film makers will most certainly be on the naughty list and I'm sure they wouldn't want it any other way.

Thornton is outstanding and fearless in this role. He is essentially trying to wreck our image of the jolly old fellow in red, and he never holds back. What I liked most about his performance is the inevitable transformation he goes through. This, however, isn't Scrooge. This is not the story of a mean man who suddenly becomes Mr. Love. Thornton's transformation is much more subtle, and rest assured, he never loses the potty mouth. Tony Cox has a fun time cursing up a storm, but the usually hilarious Bernie Mac is underused. I really enjoyed Lauren Graham as Thorntonís fling. She's incredibly warm and charming even when the naughtiest words are coming out of her mouth. And certainly, I couldnít write this review without commenting on the late John Ritter. I think this guy was an underrated talent. In Bad Santa, he's incredibly restrained, and I would have liked to see him do more of his physical schtick (see Skin Deep), but this is a fun performance nonetheless.

What really surprised me is that as vile, vulgar and nauseating as this movie is, it does, believe it or not, have a heart in the middle of all of it's mean spirited craziness. It is still about Christmas spirit as Thornton does, in some ways, become a better man. What's nice here is it's a small step rather than a huge, life altering transformation, bringing a slight sense of realism to one mean, offbeat movie.

I'm sure that frequent readers of my reviews are wondering how could I possibly be offended by Cat in the Hat but endorse a movie like Bad Santa. It's quite simple. Bad Santa doesn't try to be something it's not. It is what it is, and it's clearly made for adults. Cat in the Hat takes it's name from a beloved children's book and drains it of all it's magic.

Whereas R rated holiday fare goes, I think Planes, Trains and Automobiles and The Ref are the cream of the crop, but the audacious Bad Santa has found it's place amongst the most unique of Christmas movies. It's naughty to say the least. Case in point, when was the last time you heard Santa utter the words; "When I'm done with you, you wonít s*** right for a month?" Bad Santa in deed.