Fred Claus, the long advertised Christmas film, falls flat due to distractions. However, it seems every effort is made on set design, costuming, backdrops, and hiring competent actors, to give the holiday film the appearance of real heart.
Multiple plots prevent the desired outcome of a cozy, holiday, Christmas film.
To its merit, the film offers a gorgeous holiday fantasy of the North Pole with lights, snowflakes, an impressive toy workshop, flying sleigh and reindeer. If only the rest of the movie could have such authentic detail.
Two secondary characters -- John Michael Higgins, as Willie the Chief Elf, and Ludacris, playing DJ Donnie of the North Pole -- have their heads transposed in every scene. It looks like an amateur film maker pasting these actors' heads on elf bodies throughout the entire film.
Paul Giamatti's and Rachel Weisz's performances give strength to the film. Giamatti plays a kindhearted, benevolent Santa and Weisz plays Vince Vaughn's girl friend.
Multiple story lines, a convoluted script, and forced sentimentality near the end of the film serve to make this Holiday Ho–Hum movie as enjoyable as a piece of stale Christmas fruitcake.
