A well-balanced comedy frenzy Christmas movie

Rating: 8/10 (10 December 2019)

"Elf", Jon Favreau's only Christmas film to date, might at first glance come across as nothing but a silly comedy with packed with Will Ferrell's trademark "idiot" humor. (Meaning he is playing an idiot, not that we are idiots.) But really, what "Elf" truly is is a perfectly well executed Christmas movie - I would go as far and say one of the best ones out there. As Ferrell's character, Buddy, finds out he's not at all a real elf but an adopted human, his deadpan father (played by legend Bob Newhart) sends him to the Big Apple to find his real father. The culture crash between the world of humans and world of elves is hilariously showcases in scenes such as the one in which Buddy consumes spaghetti with maple syrup and various sweets for breakfast. "Elf" does not at all lack comedy gold, neither is it afraid of getting charmingly Yule-cheesy and it succeeds in treading those grounds without ever becoming cynical or sarcastic. With great supporting roles, shining brightest being James Caan as Buddy's real father and Zooey Deschanel as the elf's love interest, "Elf" stands incredibly well nearly 20 years after its release. Is "Elf" a Christmas classic? In my opinion most definitely yes, and not only Ferrell's - perhaps - best work ever.