Christmas with the Kranks is a 2004 holiday comedy directed by Joe Roth, based on John Grisham’s 2001 novel Skipping Christmas. Written by Chris Columbus, the film centers on a couple, Luther and Nora Krank, who decide to forgo the usual festive celebrations when their daughter is away for the holidays.
Their plan to skip Christmas entirely is met with disapproval from their festive-minded neighbors. However, the Kranks’ scheme takes an unexpected turn when their daughter announces she’ll be coming home for Christmas at the last minute.
Released by Sony Pictures on November 24, 2004, this was the final film of Tom Poston before his passing in 2007. Although the movie received largely negative reviews from critics, it remains a fun, if chaotic, take on holiday traditions and the spirit of community.
Christmas with the Kranks Cast: Who Brought the Holiday Comedy to Life?
- Tim Allen as Luther Krank: The father determined to skip Christmas.
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Nora Krank: Luther’s wife, reluctantly going along with his plan.
- Julie Gonzalo as Blair Krank: The Kranks’ daughter whose surprise return home leads to holiday chaos.
- Dan Aykroyd as Vic Frohmeyer: The enthusiastic neighbor who pushes the Kranks to celebrate.
- M. Emmet Walsh as Walt Scheel: Another neighbor keeping an eye on the Kranks’ plans.
- Cheech Marin as Officer Salino: A police officer in the community.
- Jake Busey as Officer Treen: Salino’s partner.
- Tom Poston as Umbrella Santa: His final film role, playing a mysterious and charming character.
Christmas with the Kranks Filming Locations
Christmas with the Kranks was filmed primarily in and around Chicago, Illinois, capturing the festive suburban atmosphere typical of holiday movies. The production created the fictional Hemlock Street in the town of Riverside, where most of the neighborhood scenes take place, bringing the story’s small-town charm to life.
Additional scenes were shot on soundstages in California, where filmmakers recreated winter weather and festive decorations, giving the movie its cozy holiday feel.
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chicago, located on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is one of the largest cities in the U.S. Known for its impressive architecture, the city features a skyline filled with famous skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and the Tribune Tower.
- New York Street, Backlot, Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
- Pacific Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Pacific Centre is a shopping mall in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is owned by Cadillac Fairview, the Ontario Pension Board, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, with management handled by Cadillac Fairview.
- Culver Studios – 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
The Culver Studios is a film studio located in Culver City, California. It was founded by silent film pioneer Thomas H. Ince and has been the filming site for many classics from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
- Downey Studios – 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA
Downey Studios was a production studio in Downey, California, offering 320,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space. It included a 4,600-square-meter building and a 23,000-square-meter building that housed the largest indoor water tank in North America.
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Los Angeles is a large city in Southern California and the heart of the U.S. film and television industry. Close to the famous Hollywood sign, studios like Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Bros. provide behind-the-scenes tours.
- Hennesy Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios – 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Movie studio in Burbank, California
- Suburban Street, Backlot, Downey Studios – 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA
Downey Studios was a production studio in Downey, California, with 320,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space. It included a 4,600-square-meter building and a 23,000-square-meter building that housed North America’s largest indoor water tank.
What’s the Story of Christmas with the Kranks? A Look at the Festive Plot
In Christmas with the Kranks, Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas for a change since their daughter, Blair, is away for the holidays. They plan to escape to a tropical vacation instead, but their neighbors are not pleased with their decision and insist on keeping the holiday spirit alive.
Just when the Kranks think they can enjoy a quiet getaway, Blair surprises them by coming home just days before Christmas. This unexpected turn of events forces Luther and Nora into a frantic scramble to pull together a last-minute celebration.
The film is a humorous take on family, community, and the chaos that often comes with holiday traditions, reminding us that even the best-laid plans can lead to unforgettable moments.
Christmas with the Kranks Review and Rating
Christmas with the Kranks offers a light-hearted, comedic take on the holiday season, with a blend of humor and chaos that many viewers can relate to. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis deliver entertaining performances as Luther and Nora Krank, capturing the essence of parents overwhelmed by the pressures of Christmas.
While the film’s premise skipping Christmas entirely might seem far-fetched, it effectively showcases the unexpected turns that family life can take. The comedic situations, from neighborhood antics to last-minute preparations, add a playful element that keeps the story engaging.
However, the film did receive mixed reviews from critics, who noted that its humor can feel over-the-top at times. Despite this, many fans appreciate its charm and relatable themes about family and community.
Overall, Christmas with the Kranks serves as a fun holiday watch, particularly for those who enjoy lighthearted, family-oriented comedies. It may not be a classic, but it has its moments of warmth and laughter that can brighten the holiday spirit.
Rating
Christmas with the Kranks has received mixed feedback from audiences and critics alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a rating of 2.8 out of 5, reflecting a lukewarm reception that suggests not everyone found it to be a holiday favorite.
Similarly, its IMDb score of 5.5 out of 10 indicates that while some viewers enjoyed the comedic antics and holiday chaos, others felt it fell short of their expectations. Despite the mixed reviews, the film still offers a lighthearted take on the pressures of the holiday season, making it a fun, if divisive, option for those looking to get into the Christmas spirit.
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