cheerful father, postmaster Lou Lou Who, defends her, declaring that she has tried to tell them that Christmas is not about decorations and gifts, but about spending time with family and friends. The townsfolk agree, join hands, and begin Christmas carolling. Just as he is about to push the sack off the top of Mount Crumpit, the Grinch hears the people singing; realising he has failed to prevent the festivities, he understands the true meaning of Christmas. As he breaks down in tears, the sleigh full of gifts, Christmas trees and decorations begins to slide over the edge of the cliff, along with Cindy, who has climbed aboard to spend Christmas with him. After saving the loaded sleigh and Cindy, they ride down the mountain to return everything. He apologizes for his scheme and surrenders to the police, who accept his apology and deny MayWho's demand to arrest and pepper spray him. Realising MayWho's cruelty, Martha returns his engagement ring and declares her love for the Grinch. Later, the reformed Grinch invites the townsfolk over for the Christmas feast, where he personally carves the Roast Beast himself in his cave. Cast Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a bad-tempered, devious and misanthropic green-furred creature who despises Christmas and the Whos of Whoville. Before Carrey was cast as the Grinch, Jack Nicholson, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Nicolas Cage, Tom Hanks, Tim Curry and Eddie Murphy were all considered. Josh Ryan Evans as the eight-year-old Grinch (his final film role before his death in 2002). Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who (in the film, she is six years old, while in the 1957 book and the 1966 TV special she is "no more than two") Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus MayWho, Whoville's arrogant and judgmental mayor Ben Bookbinder as eight-year-old Augustus MayWho, who bullies Grinch as an attempt to get Martha to notice him instead. Christine Baranski as the grown-up Martha May Whovier, who is mutually in love with the Grinch. Mayor Augustus Maywho also has feelings for her, but Martha does not like him because of his arrogance. Landry Allbright as 8-year-old Martha May Whovier, who shows affection for the Grinch and dislikes when kids at school pick on him. Bill Irwin as Louie Lou Who, Cindy's father Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Cindy's mother Anthony Hopkins as the narrator Kelley as Max, the Grinch's pet dog and sole companion Frank