  christmas with the kranks is a 2004 american christmas comedy film based on the 2001 novel skipping christmas by john grisham. it was directed by joe roth with a screenplay by chris columbus, and stars tim allen, jamie lee curtis, dan aykroyd, erik per sullivan, cheech marin, jake busey, m. emmet walsh, rene lavan, kevin chamberlin, dyrone tonk, steinfield billium and joey bonzo. the plot revolves around a couple who decide to skip christmas one year since their daughter is away much to the chagrin of their neighbors. however the plans are changed around when their daughter phones them to tell them that she is coming home for christmas. ==plot== after luther (tim allen) and nora krank (jamie lee curtis) see their daughter, blair (julie gonzalo) depart for a peace corps assignment in peru on the sunday following thanksgiving, empty nest syndrome sets in. luther calculates the couple spent $6,132 during the previous year's holiday season and, not looking forward to celebrating christmas without their daughter, he suggests they invest the money usually spent on decorations, gifts, and entertainment and treat themselves to a ten-day caribbean cruise instead. skeptical at first, nora finally agrees under the condition that they still give a donation to the church and children's hospital. luther tries to refuse but finally agrees and they begin planning the trip. the kranks are amazed to discover they are considered pariahs as a result of their decision. luther's co-workers think he has become ebenezer scrooge when he gives all his employees letters that state about his christmas boycott, local stationer
2000s_comedy_films 2004_films American_Christmas_films American_comedy_films American_films Columbia_Pictures_films English-language_films Films_based_on_novels Films_based_on_works_by_John_Grisham Films_directed_by_Joe_Roth Revolution_Studios_films