Fred Claus and Santa Claus have been estranged brothers for many years. Now Fred must reconcile his differences with his brother whom he believes overshadows him. When an efficiency expert assesses the workings at the North Pole and threatens to shut Santa down, Fred must help his brother to save Christmas.
Acting
Paul Giamatti's weepy, wounded Santa is genuinely affecting.
Production
The North Pole workshop has surprising scale and detail.
Writing
Vaughn's therapy-group scenes with other 'shadow siblings' — chaotic gold.
Director
David Dobkin
Vince Vaughn
Fred Claus
Paul Giamatti
Nick (Santa) Claus
John Michael Higgins
Willie
Miranda Richardson
Annette Claus
Rachel Weisz
Wanda Blinkowski
Kathy Bates
Mother Claus
Trevor Peacock
Papa Claus
Ludacris
DJ Donnie
Elizabeth Banks
Charlene
Jeremy Swift
Bob Elf
Elizabeth Berrington
Linda Elf
Kevin Spacey
Clyde Archibald Northcutt
Rio Hackford
Leon
Bobb'e J. Thompson
Samuel 'Slam' Gibbons
Allan Corduner
Dr. Goldfarb
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Siblings Anonymous' group includes Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton, and Stephen Baldwin playing themselves — all real-life siblings of more famous stars.
Director David Dobkin pitched this as 'a Christmas movie for people who dread going home for the holidays' — the family tension was deliberately uncomfortable.
US
