Elf

UK Release Date. 28 November 2003
Certification. PG
Running Time. 1 hour 37 mins
Director. Jon Favreau
Cast. Edward Asner, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Will Ferrell, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen.
Rating. 60%

Review.

In many ways, Christmas films are their own special brand of films. Much of what makes them appealing is determined by your relationship with Christmas and how well they align with your plans for the festive period. Your values. Your family traditions. 

Our Christmas Eve tradition is a much-loved annual visit to Bedford Falls in the company of George Bailey and Clarence Odbody, AS2 courtesy of The Glasgow Film Theatre. For me, there is no debate, It's A Wonderful Life is the most perfect Christmas film. But beyond It's A Wonderful Life, whilst Home Alone may have held the initial appeal when family members were younger, I’m starting to suspect that on the film's twentieth anniversary, Elf is a far superior film. A film soaked with Christmas lore, and one that better captures the spirit of Christmas.

Yes, I know Elf is silly. I know the film is kitsch. The entire plot is ludicrous. However, with the charm that Will Ferrell imparts in Buddy the elf, it is impossible to dislike him. Of course, Buddy is not a real elf, but a human raised as one and when he inadvertently discovers the truth, he sets off to find his real father in the midst of New York, with only a snow globe to guide him on his way.

The supporting cast is nigh on perfect. Zooey Deschanel plays, Jovie, who adds a degree of cynicism to her part that contrasts Buddy's naive, child-like enthusiasm. James Caan plays Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs, the brunt of the majority of Buddy's hyperactive hijinks. The ever-dependable Mary Steenburgen is the perfect contrast to Caan's stubborn patriarch, playing Emily Hobbs, a sympathetic ally to Buddy. Finally, Bob Newhart plays Papa Elf, a role that may just be the highlight of a long and illustrious career on US television.

Elf is genuinely laugh-out loud funny in a couple of places and there's a chestnut-warming old-time soundtrack featuring the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Jim Reeves. While Elf tiptoes a fine line between acceptable and too much schmaltz, when all is said and done, the film is just too lovable to let a few odd moments ruin the hilarity that precedes it.