Elizabeth Banks: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked
3. Charlene - Fred Claus
Vince Vaughn likes to get paid, hence the existence of Fred Claus. Banks appears to have been cast in this dismal family movie because a casting director decided and to be fair he's got a point - shed look great dressed in a skimpy elf costume. That aside she has absolutely nothing to do in the role. Shes doesnt get to be funny or charming, she just pops up randomly to deliver exposition, or to be the love interest for another elf that lusts after her. Usually Banks is able to give some heart to even an underwritten character, but Charlene remains a complete blank slate throughout. The audience doesnt really get to know her outside of the fact she looks good in an elf costume, so she essentially serves as eye candy for the bored dads in the audience. She performs that role quite well I guess, but its a real waste of her talents.
