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Just when you thought Jim Carrey would be the last
comedian to carry a Christmas film for the whole family to enjoy
when he did “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”,
along comes Will Ferrell with his best performance to date in “Elf”,
a wonderful and delightful film for all ages. It’s a film
that will be a Christmas TV special for many years to come once
its run in the theater and home video is over.
Told as a story by Papa Elf (Newhart), Buddy (Ferrell) was a healthy
baby boy who stole away in Santa Claus’s goodie bag while
he was working and was taken to the magical place at the North Pole
where all the toys are built from. When Santa and the elves realize
that Buddy is not one of their own, they keep it a secret from him and have
Papa Elf raise him. Over the years, Buddy fits in with the community
but has a problem catching up with his daily chores, which is meeting
his quota of making 1000 toys. When he’s sent to check on
the “Jack-in-the-box” toys, he overhears the secret
that everyone has known but him, that he’s a human. In search
of his roots, Buddy leaves for New York City to find his biological
father. Always believing he was an elf, it’s hard for Buddy
to forget the golden rules of life, which is to always smile and
be happy. At the same time, part of eating breakfast, lunch, and
dinner, involves eating anything sweet. Buddy waste no time eating
the gum that’s stuck on the rails by the subway. Dressed up
with the elf costume as his only outfit, Buddy doesn’t appear
so strange when he enters the Empire State Building and goes straight
to his father’s office. Since it the holiday season, everyone
thinks he’s just a paid greeting card messenger. When his
father (Caan), who by the way, doesn’t know Buddy exists as
his son, sees Buddy as a joker with no appeal, Buddy tells him the
truth. Thrown out of the building because no one believes him, Buddy
goes to Gimbel’s and lands a job in the toy department, where
he meets and is instantly smitten with Jovie, another store clerk.
As soon as the manager (Faizon Love) tells the employees that Santa
Claus is coming to town to talk to the kids, Buddy is overwhelmed
with joy that his old friend is coming.
Seeing a fake Santa sets Buddy in a mood that gets him fired
and arrested until dear old dad comes with bail money. Going home
to see the rest of the family, Buddy meets his half-brother, who
doesn’t think much of him until Buddy helps him in a snowball
fight. As much as Buddy tries, he seems to mess up the things around
him. Yet, he wants everyone to believe in Christmas and won’t
stop until he can get as many folks off the naughty list as he can.
Ferrell, formerly of Saturday Night Live, has found a role that
suits him. He’s genuinely funny and has the bones to prove
it. His facial expressions are priceless; especially the scene when
he hears that Santa’s coming to town and he goes, “Santaaaa!!”
David Berenbaum has written a script that fits his needs. Ferrell’s
height, mannerisms, and jokes all come in handy. He could definitely
give Jim Carrey some competition in the comedy department in years
to come. Favreau, who’s more known for acting than directing,
has rounded up an all-star cast to aid Ferrell in his first lead
role. Having Bob Newhart, a veteran comedian, was a nice surprise
and the casting of Peter Dinklage, who’s riding high these days
with his own film, The Station Agent, adds to the many highlights
the film offers. One of the neat parts of the film that may go unnoticed
is the animation that is used early on the film. It’s the
sort of animation that reminds you of the animation features of
yesterday such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Elf is such a delight
that if you don’t see it, you may wind up on the naughty list. |