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Elf - 11/7/03 - PG - 95m
Will
Ferrell - Buddy
James Caan - Walter
Zooey Deschanel - Jovie
Director: Jon Favreau
Screenplay by: David Berenbaum
Studio: New Line Cinema
Official
Website
JEF
I went into this film really hoping that it would not be another
Saturday Night Live bomb. I was not disappointed…
Storyline: Buddy (Will Ferrell) is an elf in Santa’s
workshop at the North Pole. Well, not exactly… Buddy is really a
human, whose size eventually becomes an issue in the tiny cramped quarters
of the elf workshops. Buddy’s adoptive father is simply known as
Papa (Bob Newhart), and Papa starts to finally see the troubles that Buddy
is going through due to his size issues, and the fact that he just doesn’t
seem to be cut out to be an elf. Papa realizes it’s time that Buddy
should know about his real father Walter (James Caan), who is a children’s
storybook publisher in New York City. So off Buddy goes on an adventure
to find his real father, and to see what life is like in the “human”
world where maybe he might fit in better.
As I mentioned above, I was leery of this movie. I saw the trailer, and
found myself laughing out loud to that, and was really looking forward
to this movie, but was trying not to be too enthused in seeing it because
so many times these SNL character movies are long stretch movies that
try to take a 10 minute sketch, and drag it out into a 2 hour movie. I
realize now that this movie was different because it was not based on
a SNL sketch, but rather just had Will Ferrell as the lead character.
Something I’ll have to keep in mind in the future.
Will of course is the lead character in the movie and carried this film.
The supporting roles were very well done though, they weren’t just
secondary characters, but I found myself becoming attached to them as
well. James Caan perhaps was the second best character in the film. He
did a great job of playing the “naughty list” business executive,
and at the same time not alienating himself to the audience, so that we
could forgive him, and see that maybe he’s really not such a bad
guy after all.
Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel, did a nice job too. I could not tell
exactly if her singing was in fact her voice but I think it was, and if
so, she has an incredible singing voice.
Also a nod to Mile Finch played by Peter Dinklage. I recently saw Peter
in the film “The Station Agent” and I couldn’t say enough
good about that film. It was good to see him in this comedic role again
playing the straight guy to Will’s comedic style.
The storyline was cute. Much of the movie was cute. Every time the movie
felt like it was getting ready to drag something would happen to keep
my interest. Were there some cliché moments? Sure I suppose, but
many of them were done as a sort of tongue in cheek moment, where I think
the director knew they were cliché. Speaking of the director, Jon
Favreau, he did a good job. Even in his bit part too as the doctor. I’ve
always liked Favreau’s characters and could sense his style of dry
humor in the film throughout.
Will of course was too funny. I think there will probably be at least
one scene that just about everyone will find himself or herself chuckling
or laughing out loud. He just nailed the caring, naive, character, and
was able to mix his style of comedy in nicely.
I can’t really think of anything negative to say about the film,
other than it may have been released too early. Opening the weekend of
Nov. 7th is just a little too early for most people to be in the Holiday
Spirit. But, I’m sure this was done intentionally so that by the
time the holiday season is in full swing, many people will be looking
for a movie like this. Perhaps the only other minor nitpicky comment is
that Mary Steenburgen (who played Will’s step-mother Emily) should
have never agreed to sing onscreen next to Zooey. I almost cringed when
she tried to hit the higher notes.
A nice tip of the hat to casting Ray Harryhausen as the voice to the polar
bear cub, one of the stop-motion characters. Ray is probably THE go-to
guy for all things stop motion.
Bottom line… If you would like to see this movie before the hectic
holiday season arrives it may be a good time to help get you in the mood
for this time of year. Or perhaps wait until the stress of the holidays
starts to kick-in, and treat yourself and your family to what I’m
sure will become a holiday classic TV movie from now on.
And go ahead… while you’re watching this movie… feel
free to join in with the Christmas Carols – I almost did. 
Jef
Here’s what Lyn thought…
