Cast
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Tim Allen
as Luther Krank
Jamie Lee Curtis
as Nora Krank
Dan Aykroyd
as Vic Frohmeyer
M. Emmet Walsh
as Walt Scheel
Elizabeth Franz
as Bev Scheel
Erik Per Sullivan
as Spike Frohmeyer
Cheech Marin
as Officer Salino
Jake Busey
as Officer Treen
Austin Pendleton
as Umbrella Santa / Marty
Tom Poston
as Father Zabriskie
Julie Gonzalo
as Blair Krank
René Lavan
as Enrique Decardenal
Caroline Rhea
as Candi
Felicity Huffman
as Merry
Patrick Breen
as Aubie
Crew
Director
- Joe Roth
Producer
- Michael Barnathan
- Chris Columbus
- Mark Radcliffe
Reviews
r96sk
Suitably amusing.
With that said, <em>'Christmas with the Kranks'</em> certainly starts brighter than it ends. I found fun in the opening portion, especially with the two leads. I didn't like the ending as much, I found it too sappy and untidy. The run time is short though, so that doesn't hamper things much.
Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are enjoyable at the forefront of the film, with Dan Aykroyd joining them in that bracket with his arrival. The rest of the cast are fine. The plot isn't anything majorly fresh, but it entertained me enough. Fun film.
Dec 16, 2020
Wuchak
**_Harmless Christmas fun with Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd_**
When the Kranks’ daughter goes off to Peru after Thanksgiving, they decide to skip Christmas and spend the money on a Caribbean cruise, but their neighbors browbeat them for it. At the last minute, they decide they have to celebrate the holiday anyway, but how will their offended neighbors respond?
“Christmas With the Kranks” (2004) is one of those Christmas flicks that you can just roll with and enjoy or be a Scrooge and pick apart. As far as the latter goes, what’s wrong with NOT blowing money on Christmas lights and so on? Who joins the Peace Corps to help out the world and comes back in a month? If you can ignore such questions, it’s entertaining enough and warmhearted.
While everything is usually exaggerated in movies, especially ones like this, there ARE neighborhoods in which neighbors are coerced into displaying unison decorations for the holidays.
The movie runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in studios of the Los Angeles area, e.g. Downey, with second unit work done outside Chicago.
GRADE: B-
Dec 30, 2023
Thematic Analysis
Christmas with the Kranks represents a fascinating example of Comedy/Family cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Joe Roth brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2004, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Christmas with the Kranks took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $60.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 126 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 34 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 2452 individual shots.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2004, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Christmas with the Kranks shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Hazel's People, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Christmas with the Kranks offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Bucket List and Sahara explore similar territory, Christmas with the Kranks stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 24, 2004
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Budget: $60,000,000
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