Part of Holiday Classics
Regaled as essential Christmas cinema, ELF is the story of Buddy (Will Ferrel) — an ostensibly jolly human who was raised among Santa’s elves. Finding himself unable to shake the feeling of being an outsider at the North Pole, Buddy journeys to a land with familiar wintry weather but a foreign wintry spirit: New York City. And upon discovering his biological father Walter Hobbs (James Caan), Buddy is determined to do whatever it takes to build a relationship with his dad. Narrated by the inimitable and greatly missed Bob Newhart.
“The disarming comedic tone — silly and novel in its lack of cynicism — is driven by the fearless, cheerful unself-consciousness of Will Ferrell, a big man last seen streaking (all too unself-consciously) through OLD SCHOOL.” —Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
“What elevates ELF to true greatness is its warm-as-a-yule-log heart. Watch [Zooey] Deschanel's rapturously smitten face as she watches Buddy fly off with Santa, or note the name that Buddy ultimately bestows on his own bundle of elfin joy and see — just like candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup, this is a holiday treat that's seriously sweet.” —Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon