I disagree. The laughter scene was terrible. It was unnatural and poorly acted. I also disagree that Scrooge hasn't laughed properly for decades. 'Mean' Scrooge laughs at people; at what he thinks is hypocrisy or foolishness. He scoffs at others. When the two gentlemen come seeking donations you see him chuckle to himself when he asks if they are new to the area. You see him smile when he ridicules Cratchet. He may not laugh in joy, but it's still laughing.
Stewart's performance in the rest of the show is fine. It'd just that one scene that is annoyingly unnatural.
Alastair Sim's reformation scene slam-dunks all other versions hands down - Scott, Stewart, Owen, Hicks, Finny, etc. When Sim says 'I don't know what to do' you can see he is bursting from inside. He lights up like no one else. It is just one of the dozens of reasons the 51 version is the best.
The Scott and Stewart ones are good too, Finny as well.
Of course everyone has different tastes. That's why it's great there are so many versions of this wonderful story.
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shukti
10 years ago
The laughter seemed forced to me until I saw it on On Demand. When TNT aired it there was always a commercial break right after and that made it more disconcerting. I watched it this season and the scene flowed from him laughing, to him running to the window and asking the kid what day it was. It made a difference (to me any way).
Yes, the JOXF has to go. :)
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