Delightful

Rating: 8/10 (10 November 2003)

Elf is a thoroughly delightful holiday movie! I expected it to be funny (thanks to Will Ferrell), but I didn't expect it to be so cute or heartwarming. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Elf delivers the Christmas spirit without too much syrup (figuratively that is, since actual syrup appears quite often in the movie!), and is directed by Jon Favreau in the style of the best holiday films (including adorable sets at the North Pole and the appearance of traditional stop-motion Christmas characters).
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a naive and joyful (not to mention sugar-hyper) human adopted by one of Santa's helpers at a young age (many jokes are gleaned from his 6'4" stature among the tiny elves). At the age of 30, he heads to New York City to find his real father (played by James Caan), who appears, to Buddy's shock, on "the naughty list." Hilarity ensues as Buddy adjusts to life in the big city, and everyone else in the cast adjusts to Buddy.
Ferrell does an amazing job portraying Buddy. Although Buddy is almost constantly hyperactive and could quickly wear on your patience, Ferrell imbues him with a childlike wonder and innocence combined with just the right dose of his usual crazy comic self. The children and adults in the theater laughed at all the right places, and there was a collective silence at those parts that made your heart melt.
The casting is inspired: James Caan, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart all play their roles straight and with conviction, while Zooey Deschanel shines (though she may possibly be too young to play opposite Ferrell?). Cameos from a couple of offbeat comedians just sweetened the deal.
I think this film could become another holiday classic, in the tradition of "A Christmas Story" (though it's not quite as universal to the human experience as that marvelous film). All I know is that I walked out the theater full of the Christmas spirit and itching to see Elf again!