The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: COURTESY WARNER BROTHERS Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti star as Fred and Nick Clause in 'Fred Claus,' a light-hearted Christmas tale set in Saint Nick's North Pole workshop. [Click to enlarge]

Yes, it's way too early for Christmas movies. Alas, they're hitting theaters before we carve turkeys or say thanks, so let's just embrace it because it can't be stopped.

The newest of holiday tales, "Fred Claus," examines a different side to the classic tale of St. Nick, answering the burning question, "what if Santa had a big brother?"

Fred is the sibling of the man in red, played by the always funny and rarely kid-friendly Vince Vaughn, who resents all things Christmas.

In a cottage long ago, Nick Claus is born and Fred vows to be the best brother ever. That proves to be easier said than done as Nick continues to upstage and outweigh Fred throughout their childhood years, causing the boys to grow apart.

Flash to present-day (saints such as Nick and their families never age - stay with me). Fred is a Grinch-like man who enjoys taking the Christmas spirit away from children and explaining how Santa loves the spotlight instead of helping others.

Fred also has a girlfriend, played by Rachel Weisz, who is ready to commit after a three-year, stagnant relationship and ready to break up if he can't move in with her. Just when his life couldn't get worse, he is in need of some cash and has to call the North Pole for help.

Nick (Paul Giamatti) decides that he'll give Fred the money if he comes and works for him to help get ready for the quickly approaching Christmas Eve. It's no surprise that Fred doesn't enjoy the elves, toy-making and the continuous sound of "Here Comes Santa Claus," creating predictable chaos.

Vaughn is his usual fast-talking, witty self, but loses a certain pizzazz without the four-letter expletives from his usual diatribes.

He plays off Giamatti quite well, as this version of Santa is a lot more sarcastic than portrayed before.

Kevin Spacey is the cartoonish villain Clyde, who is inspecting Nick's business and, after three "strikes," shuts the workshop down.

Will Fred help Santa keep his shop or join the evil Clyde in preventing children's happiness on Christmas morning?

The film has funny moments and decent performances, along with the typically touching ending unavoidable in Christmas flicks aimed at kids.

For the bored, three surprise cameos create a fun scene when Fred attends a group therapy session for siblings anonymous.

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