Elf (2003) Movie Information:

Elf (2003) Directed by: Jon Favreau Elf (2003) Written by: David Berenbaum Elf (2003) Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Daniel Tay, Peter Dinklage, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter

Elf (2003) U.S. Distributor: New Line Cinema Elf (2003) U.K. Distributor: Entertainment

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Elf (2003) Synopsis:

As a baby, Buddy crawls into Santa's toy bag and is whisked off to the North Pole, where he is raised as an elf. A misfit who grows to be three times the size of his elf family, Buddy ultimately heads to his birthplace of New York City to seek out his roots. Unfortunately, they turn out to be a "Scrooge"-like father and a cynical ten-year-old stepbrother who doesn't believe in Santa. Worst of all, everyone seems to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. But using his simple elf ways, Buddy sets out to single-handedly win over his family and save Christmas in New York, hoping to at last find his true place in the world.

Elf (2003) Movie Review:

Based on the kind of goofy premise Adam Sandler might have gone for, this film doesn't deserve to be half as funny and engaging as it actually is! Buddy (Ferrell) is a man who was raised at the North Pole by Santa's elves. He doesn't realise he's human; he just thinks he's a bit tall, and rather slow at making toys. But Santa (Asner) and his adoptive Papa (Newhart) finally break the truth to him and encourage him to find his biological father (Caan) in New York. Of course, the big bad city is alien to this Christmas-loving elf-man, but as he bumbles along he manages to get under the skin of his Scrooge-like dad, sweet stepmum (Steenburgen), little brother (Tay) and a cute girl (Deschanel) who works as an elf in Gimbel's Christmas department. But Santa is having trouble with his sleigh, and Buddy may be the only guy who can save Christmas!

Yes, the story is truly silly, but it maintains a timeless quality that lets us suspend our cynical disbelief. This is helped hugely by the fact that the script is loaded with warped, deranged bits of humour that keep grown-ups laughing all the way from a vicious Keebler joke at the beginning, through a series of groaner running gags, to the Ringwraith-like Central Park Rangers at the end. Ferrell is hopelessly miscast, but that's part of the film's charm. He's too old and stiff and yet makes Buddy loveable anyway. Casting pros like Asner and Newhart in key roles is a stroke of genius, as is the hilarious cameo from Dinklage. Favreau directs the film like a holiday classic--bright and wacky, with witty touches and references that will make the film enjoyable over multiple viewings. He mishandles the climactic action scene though, only just barely capturing the script's witty blend of humour, sentiment and excitement. But this doesn't dampen the film's Christmas spirit at all; I promise you'll leave the cinema with a silly grin on your face.

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Elf (2003) review written by: Rich Cline