Fred Claus'
My Selling Point: Kevin Spacey is SuperRuntime: 115min 30secs
Tagline: Santa's brother is coming to town.
Directed by: David Dobkin
Written by: Dan Fogelman and Jessie Nelson
Plot Outline:
Fred Claus has lived his entire life in his brother's very large shadow. Fred did try, but he could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas, who was just a perfect saint. True to form, Saint Nicholas "Santa" Claus (Paul Giamatti) grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred (Vince Vaughn) became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who's run out of luck and money.
Eventually Fred's bad behavior catches up with him and he is sent to jail. His only recourse is to turn to his brother. Nicholas agrees to help his brother on the condition that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa's Workshop. The trouble is that Fred isn't exactly elf material and cut out for creating toys and spreading good cheer. With Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year and ruin Christmas.
Overall Impressions:
It's a typical xmas flick that you wouldn't mind catching on TV. Rachel Weisz looked good but sounded weird, sounded as though she was struggling to put on a British accent. Strange for someone born in London. Vince Vaughn plays himself, but now has a leather jacket. Fast talking, hustling and a leather jacket, he's pretty money. Paul Giamatti pulls of stressed ole Santa, but the true talents in the film were subtle, Kevn Spacey in his small bitpart & the little orphan kid Slam (Bobb'e J. Thompson) that visits Fred in the opening of the film. These guys were awesome!
The whole skit at the "Siblings Meeting" was pretty funny too with cameo's from siblings of people we know of, Baldwin was the best of them -- I couldn't tell which one he was, not Alec though :-P The story shows no real surprises, but you wouldn't really expect it to -- would you?
Overall, a decent enough entertainer, that does what it says on the tin. Though it's a fun flick I'd suggest you wait for it on TV, it'll be on every other year anyway.
My Selling Point: Kevin Spacey is Super
Kevin Spacey is the MAN! You really ought to see him perform at the Old Vic Ram! ;)
I'm not a fan of Xmas, actually I hate it. Not the concept of it, but just the fact that everything shuts down -- no cinema, no cafe' .. it's like a curfew.
I would easily have skipped this film, the only real reason I saw it was I saw Spacey in the trailer.
I should go see him at the Vic you're right .. One day.
Well, you better stock up on DVD's to watch or books to read come the holidays, I am glad I am away.
As for catching Spacey on the stage, that's good then! I might catch him in the upcoming 'Speed the Plow' (Jeff Goldblum is also performing) so let me know if you're interested, we can even go and see it together!