Rachel weisz shines in new holiday comedy “Fred Claus”

Academy Award-winner Rachel Weisz (“The Constant Gardener”) is known for serious, dramatic films, but she lightens up for a change as she stars opposite Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti in Warner Bros.’ holiday comedy “Fred Claus.” In the film, Fred Claus (Vaughn) has lived his entire life in his brother’s very large shadow.  Fred tried, but could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas (Giamatti), who was just a perfect...well...saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who’s run out of luck and money. Over Mrs. Claus’ objections, Nicholas agrees to help his brother on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa’s Toy Shop. The trouble is that Fred isn’t exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year. 

Weisz plays Wanda, Fred’s soon-to-be ex-girlfriend who is on the verge of calling their relationship quits after being stood up by Fred on her birthday—just one more example of Fred’s irresponsibility.

“Wanda’s a very down-to-earth, no-nonsense kind of girl,” states Weisz.  “She knows that Fred, deep down, is really big-hearted, but he’s like an adolescent trapped in a grown-up’s body. He’s a lot of fun to be with but also infuriating because he forgets birthdays and anniversaries. He’s the ultimate in unreliable boyfriends.”

Vaughn admits, “Fred likes Wanda, but I don’t think he feels secure enough with himself to fully commit to her.  And I think she likes him, but she’s getting a little burned out because she’s been sitting around waiting for him to step up, and he keeps finding excuses not to.”

In contrast to the frustrations Wanda faces with Fred onscreen, Weisz says, “It was fun playing opposite Vince. He’s completely committed to his character. He is also extremely fast in terms of improvisation. Before you finish improvising a line, he’d be back with another. It’s like lightening speed; he’s got a very creative mind.”

To Weisz’s own credit, director David Dobkin offers, “Rachel’s a definite ‘sharpshooter.’ She nailed scenes so quickly and had fantastic chemistry with Vince. It was a real pleasure to watch them develop the relationship and bring that connection to the screen.”

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Fred Claus” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.