FauxNixon

Elf is a wholesome holiday comedy that tells us the story of a human raised by elves at the North Pole.   Buddy, skillfully played by Will Ferrell, is mistakenly brought back to the workshop after crawling into Santa’s toy bag.  He is adopted by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) and raised like an elf until he discovers that he’s actually a human.  His child-like optimism, even at his character’s 30 years of age is corny, but charming.  Buddy is more than three times the size of any of the real elves, and without the inherent toy-making skills, has never managed to find his place among them.  He decides to seek out his biological father (James Caan) in New York City; an executive with the children’s book division of a major publishing firm.  Buddy’s father is a modern-day Scrooge, caring for only money and neglecting everything else, which has resulted in a distancing between himself and his other son, and an utter lack of appreciation for Christmas.  It falls to Buddy to win the acceptance of his family, the love of his girlfriend, and use his innocent simplicity to help return the Christmas spirit to New York.

Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy is what really sets the movie apart and makes it something more than a generic holiday film.   Ferrell’s unique blend of physical comedy and brilliantly-delivered lines is something that will please audiences of both children and adults.  He seems destined for the kind of fame early Saturday Night Live actors like Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, and Steve Martin achieved in movies.  Unlike so many of his fellow SNL cast members, he is relying on his talent, rather than a single comedy sketch, to propel him out of television and into the cinema.  Director Jon Favreau combines the classic, if generally overused, plot of an innocent outsider brought to live in a barbaric foreign environment with the comedic brilliance of Ferrell to create this modern Christmas classic.  Bob Newhart, James Caan, and Ed Asner as Santa Clause, all play their supporting roles to perfection.  Elf is a light-hearted romp through the magic of the spirit of Christmas.  The characters are well developed, the humor is wholesome, the acting is strong, and the story is charming.  The wholesome laughter is innocent enough to keep the children entertained, and edgy enough to still keep the adults laughing too.  This is a movie destined for a spot in the annual lineup of classic holiday films and is well-worth the price of a movie ticket.