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Film Review

09 January 2009 03:32 BST

Fred Claus

Directed by David Dobkin, out November 30th, in cinemas, starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, John Michael Higgins, Rachael Weisz, Ludacris, Elizabeth Banks and Kevin Spacey, 116 minutes.

In a nutshell...

Silly. Feel-good. Contrived. Amusing. PG.

What's it all about?

In this improbable family holiday flick boasting an all-star cast, Santa Claus's (Giamatti) older brother Fred (Vaughn) is the black sheep of the family living in the Saint's shadow. But, when Christmas is threatened, will Fred rise to the occasion? Losing touch with his family, the fast-talking repo man one day finds himself out of luck and money after being chased down by a gang of Santa Clauses. The scroogey Vaughn, in his characteristic wittily begrudged fashion, is forced to strike a deal with his saintly brother and sets off to the North Pole to earn the money he needs in Santa's workshop. As the film progresses, though, it is clear that there are larger, more sinister forces at work which threaten the holiday cheer...

Who's in it?

This is a real change for Vince Vaughn (Into the Wild, The Break-Up), it being his first 'family film'. But while he generally makes due with his quick witted, snarky shenanigans with Giamatti, there is just a hint of discomfort in his performance - perhaps because his customarily lude humour is somewhat limited by the PG rating. (I'm also biased to his earlier, more 'mature' films).

Paul Giamatti (Shoot 'em Up, The Nanny Diaries) makes an admittedly loveable and very down-to-earth Saint Nick, complete with fat suit and prosthetic hands. Kevin Spacey (Superman Returns) gives an especially ominous performance as Clyde the "efficiency expert", while Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener) is confined to the central love plot with Fred, and Elizabeth Banks (40 Year-old Virgin) is confined to a (literally and figuratively) miniature love plot with Santa's Chief Elf Willie (Higgins).

Director David Dobkin - one of Vaughn's long time cohorts - commits a similar departure in this film. To move from the unruly The Wedding Crashers (2005) to this feel-good holiday film is surprising, to say the least. I could easily be wrong, but something gives me the feeling that he is cashing in on the holiday spirit via calculated laughs... I can't say that I wouldn't do the same in his position, but, in any case, this film is strikingly different from his wonderfully underrated Clay Pigeons.

As an example...

"In the morning you'll all be back to Elfistan, or wherever the hell you're from!" - Clyde

Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

Critics have been pretty hard on the film (it has received a measly 23 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes) and none of the actors give a particularly Oscar-worthy performance. But this didn't really seem to be the film's aspiration in the first-place. It seems, instead, perfectly content to be a typical holiday family film. I don't remember the last time one of these made it to the Oscars though.

What the others say

"I chuckled a few times, felt some minor emotional uplift in key moments, but was mostly left stone cold by the entire thing, and was even a little creeped out. Vince Vaughn and director David Dobkin may have struck gold with Wedding Crashers, but out of their comfort zone of nymphomaniacs and scheming man-children, they totally flop." - Katey Rich, Cinema Blend

"Fred Claus turns out to be not bad for a Santa movie, which I suppose could be interpreted as either faint or excessive praise, depending on your view." - LA Times

"To my surprise, the film not only surpassed the lame promises of its advertisements, it proved to be one of the best films I've seen all year." - Ross Anthony's Hollywood Report Card

So is it any good?

After watching this, I discovered that it can be painful to watch one of your favourite actor/director combos produce a children's holiday film. While surprisingly memorable and even poignant at times, I wouldn't go so far as to say that Fred Claus is one of the best films of the year. Instead, it is what one would expect from a PG Hollywood Christmas flick - kids will like it. Adults? Not so much.

And, although credit should be given for the incredible amount of talent and creativity that went into its making, the film is a back and fourth between Vaughn's gags, such as being leg humped by a pint-sized Ludacris and attacked by equally small "ninja" elves, and genuine, warm Christmassy didacticism about brotherhood, misunderstood children and the ugliness of consumerism. It's not terrible, but it's not great either.

This is a film for Kids with a capital K, and it succeeds at marketing to this audience. For me, not being a kid anymore, sadly, it was harder to enjoy. Nonetheless, I can see the appeal of this movie. Depending on how you feel about holiday comedies, take your kids to see this only if they really, really want to, but don't make them go. If you don't have kids... well, enough said.

5.5/10

Spencer Thanhouser

Have a look at some Fred Claus clips here on inthenews.co.uk.

Fred crushes a child's dreams.

A run-in with some angry Santas.

A 'magical' ride to the North Pole.

Naughty or nice?

Christmas goes corporate.

Fred loses his Christmas spirit.

Party time at the Pole.

Brotherly love.