Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
Fatman is a 2020 action thriller from directors Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms. It follows a rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus who is fighting to save his declining business. Meanwhile, Billy, a neglected and precocious 12-year-old, hires a hitman to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. It stars Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
Under The Lens: Economics of Christmas and Morality Matters
Economics of Christmas: Fatman does something few Christmas pictures ever do, delves into the economic needs of Santa Clause. We have all wondered how Santa pays for all his presents and how he affords to keep his operation running, well in Fatman, we find out that Santa is a part of a classified program that pays Santa per present delivered. The picture does not go into this information in so much detail as it becomes boring, but enough to show us the economics of a world that knows and showcases the existence of Santa as a force for economic excess in the world.
Morality Matters: Many who went into Fatman expected a bloody fantasy adventure (and they are excused as the posters sold the picture this way). When in reality the picture is telling a tale of morality, in today’s world morality has become grey, and good and evil is often left to one’s own opinion. Fatman opens with Santa depressed that his influence over the world is waining and more and more children are bad and committing evil acts.
We are introduced to “Billy” who is used to getting everything he wants, he suffers from no parenting and has turned into a psychopath who threatens to kill his classmate and attempts to murder his grandmother after she finds out he was stealing from her. He then hires a hitman to kill Santa after he gets a lump of coal, the also hitman hates Santa for not bringing his parents back from the dead, and Santa describes him as a “Twisted child”
Santa realizes that he needs to be more active in punishing evil and aiding good. Fatman shows us that Santas gifts are going up in value when pawned and less are writing to him, in a sense Santa and his “List” is a stand-in for traditional morality in today’s world. The world without a belief in right and wrong is in fact turning worse and worse, Billy is not so much a psychopath as a child 100% consumed with his own selfish desires, no one and nothing matters more than his own wants.
In the end, Fatman seemingly tells its viewer that people need an embodiment of right and wrong to believe in, and they need something to fear when they are immoral. It showcases Santa as someone who believes in second chances though, he gives Billy an opportunity to change and is now committed to being the agent of good he once was.
Highlights
The picture leans into its grounded and gritty world, showcasing a universe where Santa’s existence is very believable.
Walton Goggins was delightfully unhinged as the villainous hitman.
The picture is clearly low low budget, but the filmmakers really do a good job making the budget strech. I never felt like I was watching a cleap motion picture.
Quotable Quote
Chris Cringle: You think you’re the first? You think I got this job because I’m fat and jolly?
Something to think about
Do you think an absence of morality in the world is a bad thing?
Conclusion
Overall Fatman is not at all like its posters and trailers advertise, while it gives one looking for action and blood something to enjoy, it also asks its viewer to “Stay awhile and listen” to its morality tale. Fatman is a Christmas cult picture that has a lot to say and dresses its message in an entertaining gritty fantasy tale. It is anchored by a heart filled performance by Mel Gibson and a funny but chilling Walton Goggins brings the laughs when he is not murdering people! Fatman is not a film for the whole family, but it may be destined for cult classic status and is perfect for a night in wrapping presents with hot cocoa and cookies.