Elf Review

 

        The film that cemented Will Ferrell’s comedic acting career and one of the most beloved films of the 2000s is Elf. Directed by Jon Favreau, who directed Iron Man and is showrunning Star Wars’ The Mandalorian, Elf is a once in a generation holiday film that anyone can enjoy regardless if they celebrate the holiday or not. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        At first, I thought the story was going to be read like a story book. During the opening credits, stop motion animals appear that are reminiscent of the Rankin Bass productions like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The narrator played by Bob Newhart, explains how Buddy played by Will Ferrell was raised as an elf. From there, we catch up to Buddy being grown up and having papa elf explain to him that he isn’t an elf but a human.  

        Santa then tells Buddy that he has a real Dad. The only problem is that he is on the naughty list. We get to see that Walter played by James Caan, is a washed up worker for a children’s publication company. Buddy decides to meet his father by going to New York City. The whole approach is the classic fish out of water story. By having Buddy be defamiliarized about the goings on in the normal world.

2. Buddy

        Easily, Will Ferrell steals the whole movie. He is very innocent when he is portraying Buddy the Elf. As I mentioned earlier, he reacts to the world in a playful manner. It comes off as a defamiliarization since he presses the entire floor buttons on the elevator and gets into an argument about Santa Claus. 

        I really like that throughout the film that he has an impact with the characters around him. Such as with the love interest Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel. She is a stick in the mud worker who is put off by Buddy’s personality. Although he encourages her to sing since he hears her singing while she is taking a shower. 

        Most of the comedy works with him being a complete goof. None of it comes off as annoying of just tired in its execution. He is just a likeable character due to having him being an innocent person. We do find out why he acts that way. When Walter takes his son for a DNA test, the doctor explains that he may be experiencing some regression as a coping mechanism. It’s justified since we see him interacting with things as any kid would. 

3. The Best Christmas Film of the 2000s

        With all that out of the way, what makes it so beloved. Well, looking at some of the films that director Jon Favreau has done, there appears to be a recurring motif that stands out. It’s that there’s an idealism meeting cynicism. With all his films, the main characters are optimistic but are usually met with a cynic world that tries to put them down. It’s evident in Iron Man and in Chef to name a few.

        With Buddy, his endearing character is met with a father who doesn’t want nothing to do with him. As well as a world that is literally different from Santa’s workshop. With his influence that I mentioned earlier, he has help with understanding the world. Like when he warms up to his brother Michael who helps him get a date with Jovie. He even decorates his parents’ apartment with Christmas decorations and the toy department in the store Gibbels.

        I feel that it’s something that every generation needs to see. Since people have a cynic view of the world. Here comes a movie to show a more positive side and to have a belief in the Christmas spirit to be uplifting. Lastly, in the beginning in Santa's workshop, most of the scenes with Buddy was shot in a forced perspective. They used optical illusion to give Will Ferrell obvious difference when he is with the elves. 

4. Overall

        There’s only so much to gush about the film that isn’t talked about. Elf is one of the quintessential films of the early 2000s. It’s beloved by all and is easily one of Jon Favreau’s and Will Ferrell’s best film in terms of looking at their best films. A must watch for the holiday’s that is enjoyable by all. 

Elf gets a five out of five.