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Movie Description
Will Ferrell makes yet another memorable splash on the big screen in Jon Favreau's sweet and hilarious Christmas fable. Ferrell is Buddy, an innocent figure who was raised as an elf in the North Pole by his adoptive father, Papa Elf (Bob Newhart). When Buddy discovers that he's actually a human being, he heads to New York City to reunite with his biological father. The trouble is that his dad, Walter (James Caan), is a publishing executive who doesn't have time for anything other than work. Buddy moves in with Walter and his family, and proceeds to teach them a lesson or two about what being a family really means. Meanwhile, he also falls head over heels in love with the incredibly cute department store clerk, Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, the general lack of spirit in the air threatens to ground Santa for the big night. He must rely on Buddy's expertise and overall enthusiasm to ensure that Christmas will be saved once again. Favreau's film is family entertainment at its finest, featuring a performance by Ferrell that is at once innocent, tender, and laugh-out-loud funny. A stellar supporting cast--including Caan, Deschanel, Newhart, and Faizon Love--adds to the film's already overabundant charm.
Industry Reviews
"...A disarming holiday comedy....The sweet-natured outsider fantasy neither skimps on nor overplays its sentimentality..."
Variety - David Rooney (10/27/2003)
"...ELF returns to the hip but warm-hearted spirit of SWINGERS....[With] sophisticated glee and a sense of innocent fun..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (11/07/2003)
"...Mr. Favreau's direction has a relaxed, swinging rhythm..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (11/07/2003)
"...The disarming comedic tone -- silly and novel in its lack of cynicism -- is driven by the fearless, cheerful unself-consciousness of Will Ferrell..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (11/14/2003)
"...There's a devil of comedy in Ferrell, and he lets it out to play..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (11/27/2003)
"...Ferrell and Favreau have engendered enough goodwill to allow for a finale that glows like winter coals. A gleeful, cracked fairytale..."
Total Film - Robert Abele (12/01/2003)
"Will Ferrell's man-child in tights is a surprisingly affecting figure."
Sight and Sound - Andrew Osmond (12/31/2003)
"This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (11/07/2003)
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