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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
LYN
Will Ferrell as a human-size elf in Santa's workshop at the North
Pole? Sounds funny, doesn't it? Well, one would think so, but unfortunately
I've never been a big fan of Mr. Ferrell's work…ever, I'm more a
fan of Jon Favreau's work instead. But this is where the story turns,
and we'll get to that in half a tick.
Nutshell: Buddy (Will Ferrell) is an infant given up
for adoption by his birth mother, and has a father that never knew he
was even born. Christmas Eve: Enter Kris Kringle delivering presents to
the Buddy, the only baby in the orphanage. Buddy sees a teddy bear in
the big guy's bag, and makes a beeline for it while Santa is preoccupied
with cookies and milk. One thing leads to another and Buddy is on his
way to the North Pole, where he ends up being adopted by his new father
(Bob Newhart). That's all for now.
Now this is the weird part, I go to this movie because like I said, Jon
Favreau's work, and again not for Will Ferrell's, and the strangest thing
happened, I was truly amazed by his performance. He played the role of
Buddy with such a charmed innocence that it was simply stunning. It was
never over the top or obnoxious, it was just real. I could believe that
this was a 30-year old person who grew up in Santa's workshop. And this
is what I think makes a good actor, when he or she plays a role and you
believe they are that character in which they are portraying, not just
an actor playing them. For example, as much I dislike bringing up the
past but… "The Big Lebowski" and Jeff Bridges who played
"The Dude", it was like I was watching Jeff Bridges act like
"The Dude", and not just watching "The Dude". Know
what I mean? Well, regardless, I've gotten off track again…
The acting was very well presented, and the storyline was simple and sweet,
and even the visual effects were amazing to watch. But, all in all it
was a charming and witty film, and I even found myself singing, "Santa
Claus is Coming to Town" on the way to the parking lot after the
show (and keeping in mind that 'Grinch' could be my middle name round
this time of year). 
It's a good film…go see it.
Lyn
