Pop Culture Movies and More: Elf (2003)

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman who is on Santa's naughty list. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results. When people think of one of the best Christmas movies, this one tends to come up in the top 5 and I can certainly see why. It is such a hilarious and charming film that, undoubtedly captures the Christmas spirit that is fun for the whole family. Filled with bright colours and breathtaking decorations, Elf is exceptionally beautiful, capturing every feeling and emotion associated with this festive season. Will Ferrell as Buddy was an excellent choice. His hyperactive energy elevates every scene as his over-enthusiasm gets the better of him in any situation. He is extremely amusing, not fitting in with the tinny elves whilst being of a human stature. This is perfectly illustrated when he is sitting at a school desk that he barely fits into or when trying to take a shower in a miniature bathroom. His human side also inhibits him from keeping up with the naturally gifted elves when it comes to making toys quickly, which lands him with 'special' jobs, such as testing jack-in-the-boxes. However, where he truly shines in this movie is during the sequences once he finally arrives in New York. Being raised by elves didn't prepare him for the human world and I love every moment when he sees something new or something he doesn't understand. Being quite oblivious, he would eat used gum off of the streets, (which was so disgusting) to run around repeatedly in a revolving door. Watching a man walking around New York in his bright green and yellow elf costume is such a bizarre sight that only gets better with all the wacky things he gets up to. The best part about those scenes too was the interactions he had with passing citizens were completely unscripted with genuine reactions. My favourite scenes are when something majorly Christmassy happens or is mentioned, to which Buddy gets unimaginably excited. Whilst in the store Gimbles, the manager announces that Santa will be coming down at 10 A.M. tomorrow and Buddy screams, "SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!" whilst jumping up and down, which is hysterical. Even the manager's face cracks me up. They take this whole joke even further when the next day, Santa arrives, only for Buddy to realise it's someone pretending to be him. Buddy constantly tries to unearth the truth by confronting him, saying one of the best quotes in the film, "You sit on a throne of lies!". When Buddy takes his beard off, it leads to a fight between the two destroying the shop and all the wonderful decorations as all the children scream in horror. Alongside Ferrell, my other favourite character has to be James Caan's Walter (Buddy's father). Each shares some fantastic interactions, constantly generating waves of laughter in their scenes together, due to their contrasting personalities. Walter doesn't understand Buddy and frequently tries to dissociate himself from him, not believing in his elf persona or being his son. I adore all the sequences where Buddy will try being overly happy and festive with Walter, like starting a tickle fight or wanting to make gingerbread houses, which Walter finds very strange. Another key element I enjoyed was seeing the relationship Buddy grows with Jovie, a worker he met at Gimbles, as they start to fall in love. It is especially nice since she didn't much like Christmas but, thanks to Buddy, she found a new liking to the season. Overall, Elf is such a happy-feeling adventure that's certain to lift your holiday spirits with its delightful comedy, gorgeous winter visuals, songs and a fantastic cast. Elf is one film I cannot imagine skipping during the Christmas holiday. It is one my family and I will undoubtedly watch for the foreseeable. So grab your syrup, pour it onto your spaghetti and check out Elf this December.