3. Elf

Release Date: Nov. 7, 2003

Director: Jon Favreau

Non Will Ferrell Cast Members: James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel.

First Time I Saw It: I first watched Elf after my friend raved about it. I remember she kept telling me how funny it was, as she was a Will Ferrell fan herself. I don’t believe I watched the movie in its entirety the first time around, but the scenes that I remember definitely made me want to sit down and watch it from the very first minute to the very last minute.

Why I Love It: First of all, any Christmas movie is a winner in my book. I particularly love tales from the North Pole, such as The Santa Clause series, or ones that involve mischief, as in the Home Alone classics. The fact that Elf is a Christmas movie starring Will Ferrell who causes mischief after leaving the North Pole makes this movie spectacular.

Much like Ferrell’s new movie Get Hard plays off of the physical discrepancies between Ferrell and actor Kevin Hart, the humorous side of Elf lies in Buddy’s (Will Ferrell) stature compared to the smaller elves in Santa’s Workshop; Ferrell is hilarious when he uses physical comedy.

Also, despite this being a light-hearted film, Ferrell is able to stretch his acting chops by portraying the sensitivity of a young boy. I love the moments with his father Walter – played by James Caan who I always picture from The Godfather – and the verbal tussle between the two as they try to sort out the dynamics of their relationship.

My absolute favorite moment of the movie is when Buddy and Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) duet “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the infamous shower scene. It’s the moment that always comes first to my mind when I think of the movie. I also laugh to myself when I think about the out-of-the ordinary situations Buddy finds himself in – wandering around New York, interrupting his father’s board meetings, trying to play an elf at the mall. While watching the movie, I feel sympathetic toward Buddy, understanding how it feels to be out of place and in unfamiliar surroundings. It is so evident how he just wants to find himself and be loved.

Unfortunately, I went to buy tickets to Elf on Broadway this past winter and was dismayed to learn that it is not being produced anymore. I would have loved to see such a beautifully written comedy come to the live stage. I’ll just have to wait until this coming Christmas season to enjoy the movie once again.

Signature Ferrell Moment: Buddy is severely disturbed when he realizes that the Santa at the Gimbels department store is not authentic, and a scuffle ensues. Buddy rips off Santa’s (Artie Lange) beard and winds up going to jail. Will Ferrell plays up the innocence of a child while making an unforgettable scene in the middle of the store. His knack of banter and facial expressions makes this scene very memorable. –Jennifer Amato

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