Fred Claus (2007)

Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.

Director:

David Dobkin

Writers:

Dan Fogelman (screenplay), Jessie Nelson (story)

Stars:

Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth Banks

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vince Vaughn	...	Fred Claus
Paul Giamatti	...	Nick 'Santa' Claus
John Michael Higgins	...	Willie
Miranda Richardson	...	Annette Claus
Rachel Weisz	...	Wanda
Kathy Bates	...	Mother Claus
Trevor Peacock	...	Papa Claus
Ludacris	...	DJ Donnie (as Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges)
Elizabeth Banks	...	Charlene
Jeremy Swift	...	Bob Elf
Elizabeth Berrington	...	Linda Elf
Kevin Spacey	...	Clyde
Rio Hackford	...	Leon
Bobb'e J. Thompson	...	Samuel 'Slam' Gibbons
Allan Corduner	...	Dr. Goldfarb

Storyline

During childhood, Fred Claus suffered his younger brother Nick's saintliness. Jump ahead: Fred is a fast-talking, genial but self-centered guy in Chicago looking for $50,000 to open an off-track-betting shop. When one scam goes awry, he calls Nick at the North Pole for a loan: Nick will give him the money only if Fred comes up to help a few days with the Christmas rush. After his girlfriend dumps him, Fred heads north. Santa's facing an audit from an efficiency expert, and it's not pleasant. Fred's job is to review charts and determine who's naughty and who's nice. Is there any fraternal feeling left, can either learn from the other, and what about Santa getting fired?

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Plot Keywords:

close up of eyes | character name as title | north pole | efficiency expert | christmas | 

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Taglines:

Christmas comes every year, but this holiday season Santa's brother is coming along for the ride.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and some rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official UK DVD & Blu Ray site Warner Bros [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Vince Vaughn/David Dobkin Project

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,515,473, 11 November 2007

Gross USA:

$72,006,777

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,838,349

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Silver Pictures, David Dobkin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The alternate cover art shows Fred riding a tricycle somewhere in Santa's workshop, but this never made it to the theatrical release of the movie.

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Goofs

Young Nick has brown eyes and Young Fred has blue eyes, but Adult Nick has blue eyes and Adult Fred has brown eyes.

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Quotes

Mother Claus: [at Nick's birthday] Time to cut the cake!
Young Fred - 12 Yrs Old: [comes with a journal with the name "Nicholas" written on the cover] Here you go, Nicholas! I made this for you. Happy Birthday!
Young Nick - 6 Yrs Old: I thank you, Frederick!
Mother Claus: That was very nice, Frederick!
[Nicholas takes all his presents and leaves]
Mother Claus: Nicholas, where are you going?
Young Nick - 6 Yrs Old: There's a poor orphan named Henry who lives down the road. I'm bringing all my gifts to him. He needs them more than I.
Young Fred - 12 Yrs Old: Do you really think Henry needs a journal with the name "Nicholas" on the cover...
Mother Claus:
Narrator:

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Crazy Credits

The opening logos are covered in snow and Christmas tree lights.

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Connections

References Supernanny (2004)

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Soundtracks

Fred's Factory Dance
Written by Donovan Whitworth
Produced by Dan Pinnella, Ric Markmann, Chris Wagner, and David Dobkin
Performed by Matter Music

User Reviews

Thought it was great and even a little insightful.

I thought this movie was very funny. My sons were begging to go see it so on a whim we decided to take them tonight. Just got back home and the kids were so excited that they laughed about it all the way home. I also think the movie shows a lot about sibling rivalry and how over the years it can blow up and get worse without anyone really realizing that it is happening. There were a lot of funny moments and I noticed everyone in our packed theater was laughing in what seemed to me all the right areas. I think this movie also shows how childhood disappointments can have effects long into your future. Either way, it was a very entertaining way to spend 2 hours and I would see it again.