http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx Stephen Baldwin, Roger Clinton, Frank Stallone.  They’re all in a self-help group called Siblings Anonymous.  And if you think they’ve got it bad, consider FRED CLAUS (Vince Vaughn), always overshadowed by his younger brother Nick (Paul Giamatti). That is the premise of this silly confection (and I mean that in the best possible way), about Santa’s no account, scheming big brother.  Fortunately, we know Fred is basically a good guy because he’s kind to a young child who lives next door.  Also Wanda (Rachel Weisz) is his girl friend, and she wouldn’t go out with a bum. So the chances are good that all will end well. The question is will we laugh along the way?  The answer is a resounding yes.  We’re not talking intellectual comedy here.  A couple of dozen angry Salvation Army Santas chasing Fred down the streets of Chicago and pummeling him when they catch him is not everyone’s idea of joyous Holiday humor.  But, then, not everyone has a sophisticated sense of the absurd.  As you and I do. The film is driven by Vaughn’s verbal and physical gymnastics. He is the greatest film comic since Jerry Lewis – are you listening French people – who raises the level of every film he’s in.  He stands head and shoulders above his competition, including Ben Stiller. But then he’s about 6’5” so he pretty much stands head and shoulders above everybody. In FRED CLAUS the problem is that Fred needs money badly and quickly to open a business.  He doesn’t get along with his family, so it kills him to ask Nicholas for a loan.  His brother reluctantly agrees to provide the cash, but only if Fred comes to the North Pole to help with last-minute production.  Demand for gifts is up sharply and there’s only so much the elves can do. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2113 this sounds pretty funny brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2113 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:18:03 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2118 i love vince so i will watch it cause hes in it:) tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2118 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:57:22 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2134 I HOPE THIS WILL BE BETTER THAT IT LOOKS dorothy fugate http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/09/FRED-CLAUS-A-Bag-Full-Of-Laughs.aspx#2134 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:56:08 GMT