The One With That Elf.

Elf (2003) is another film that my parents and I watch every Christmas. It is a fun, enjoyable, somewhat charming and very warm feel-good film. I love this tradition and really look forward to seeing it every year, I would see it before Christmas but that would feel a little strange. It would even be good just to have on in the background on a Christmas day when your family is over.

Directed by: Jon Favreau
Written by: David Berenbaum

After screwing up in his elf community and realising he's not actually an elf, a man who was raised as an elf travels to New York to find his father. Santa (by the way; Edward Asner is the best Santa I've ever seen in a film) gives him a very important pointer for his trip which is: "You see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn't free candy." And what does Buddy do? He arrives in New York and eats the gum off the street straight away & treats it like free candy. This film is full of humourous scenes like this :)

Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) is completely adorable. He is irresistible to love; he loves Santa, smiling is his favourite and he only eats the four main food groups; candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. What's not to love? Will Ferrell is at his absolute best playing Buddy.
Other than Buddy, my favourite character is Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). She is so completely adorable, but not so enthusiastic about Christmas. All that changes when she meets Buddy. He shows her that Christmas is a time of joy, not a time to "just get through".

Buddy's father and his new family are great as well:

His father, Walter (James Caan) is hilarious because at the beginning he hates Buddy and believes that he is mentally ill, but simultaneously, it is heartbreaking. Buddy really loves his father and continues to seek for his approval. Walter's new wife, Emily (Mary Steenburgen) is so generous and understanding. Many women in Emily's situation would be somewhat offended that their husband had a love child, but Emily loved the fact that he did and couldn't wait to meet him.
The performances are truly great.

My favourite scene is probably when Buddy visits his father's work office to stay out of trouble. There are many cute, classic Buddy moments evident in this scene. For example; saying one of my favourite lines: "Francisco! That's fun to say! Francisco... Frannncisco... Franciscooo..." and continues to say it when in the office for a while, complimenting Deb on how she's so pretty she ought to be on a Christmas card, him drinking coffee and completely hating it, etc.

Overall, I love this film. It is the second best Christmas film I've seen, after Christmas Vacation :)
If I could watch this film without it being Christmas time, I would.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtmsqyOkhc

Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 mins.

Taysha. x