Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Elf starring Will Ferrell only came onto the Christmas movie scene about two years ago, but its already become a Christmas tradition at my house. This movie is, in my opinion, some of Ferrell’s best work and one of the best Christmas films released in recent years.

Plot Information
The plot is refreshingly simple. Buddy (Will Ferrell) is an elf at the North Pole who is different than the other elves. Not only is he over six feet tall but he’s pretty bad at making toys. His “Papa Elf” (Bob Newhart) eventually breaks the bad news…Buddy is actually a human child and his real father Walter (James Caan) lives in New York City…and is on the “naughty list.”

Buddy sets out to find his father in full elf attire, and the rest of the film shows two worlds collide while he tries to convince his father 1) that he is really his son, 2) that he is really an elf, and 3) that Christmas and family are really important. In the meantime, he has plenty of adventures in New York including a disastrous job working as Santa’s elf at the shopping mall and even a little love interest.

My Thoughts
Casting for this film was very good. Sometimes Will Ferrell can drive me crazy, but this was a great role for him. He plays Buddy with a wide eyed innocence that keeps me laughing throughout the film. Ferrell makes everything funny from Buddy’s first experiences with a revolving door and escalator to his peculiar habit of pouring maple syrup on everything he eats. This role gave him a chance to do a lot of physical comedy, which in my opinion is what he does best. Bob Newhart is hilarious as Papa Elf, and I love the scenes where Buddy insists on sitting on his lap. Although her part is not as large as the major ones, I thought Mary Steenburgen did a terrific job playing Walter’s new wife. She was able to really create a character who was motherly and compassionate towards Buddy despite the very odd circumstances in which he appeared.

This is a good film for kids and adults to see together. The plot is clean and child-appropriate, but adults will find plenty to enjoy that kids might miss. For example, I love the inclusion of claymation figures at the film’s beginning in a nostalgic tribute to classics such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Frosty the Snowman.” I saw Elf for the first time with seven sorority sisters and have seen it since with my husband and family. Everyone I’ve watched with has found something they enjoyed about the film. The plot concept of an elf discovering the world outside of the North Pole, while very simple, provides a springboard for tons of funny moments.

Elf manages to pass on positive messages to the viewer without becoming overly cheesy. The overall themes have to do with family and forgiveness, but the cast manages to make me laugh while still delivering the message.

Overall…
If you’re looking for a great film to get you in the Christmas spirit, Elf is a good bet. Ferrell, Newhart, and the rest of the crew are pretty much guaranteed to make you smile.

*Elf is third on my list of Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD