Movie review of Elf

In my view, Elf is the perfect movie for family fun. It is a rare Christmas comedy with a heart, a mind and a rather outlandish sense of humor. It is a great charmer. It includes some rather unexpected casting. The movie is definitely worth watching.
Star rating: 3
Star names: Mary Steenburgen, Will Ferrel, James Caan and Zooey Deschanel
Director Name: Jon Favreau
Rating: PG
Movie length: 97 minutes

The plot of the movie is fairly standard. It has to do with a conflict at the publishing company owned by the old man and a demand for a children’s best seller. The movie also contains some interesting subplots involving Michael ( Daniel Tay) ; Buddy’s new little brother. Buddy has an awkward but rather deep and genuine little romance with a store girl (Deschanel). And then, there is the unfinished business at the North Pole (Ebert para5).

Buddy, was moved to the North Pole by accident when he was still a toddler. He was raised to become an adult among the elves of Santa. Since he cannot get over the feeling that he really doesn’t belong there, he decides to travel to New York, clad in elf uniform, looking for his father. The father happens to be the cynical Walter Hobbs who is a businessman. After confirming the blood link from the DNA test, Walter makes frantic efforts to establish a relationship with Buddy. The outcome is almost catastrophic.

Elf stars the likes of Will Ferrrel as a man named Buddy. He thinks that he is an elf. Ed Asna acts as Santa Claus. James Caan is the biological father to the elf. Bob Newhart acts as the elf’s adopted father. Mary acts as Caan’s wife. She takes in an adult son in her family. The girl who works at the department store and falls for the elfin charm is called Zooey Deschannel (Ebert para 1&2).

Elf blends the attractiveness of the gems of the holiday with magic that is handcrafted and the flair of a rather outrageous comedian will that looks so innocent. The film pays a great deal of attention to detail. It is astounding to say the least. The meticulous eagle eyed attention to detail makes the movie stand out. The movie is cast against a pale grey backdrop. The props and the colorful costumes tend to contrast with it sharply. There is a vibrant cheer from the figures. The influencers of the film are ever so conspicuous in every cranny and nook. Generally, the movie lives up to a respectable repute pedigree that wins Elf a cognizable place in the echelons of successful and memorable holiday flicks (Landekic para2).

The movie starts with an unfortunate and tragic misconception on Christmas day a long time back. While Santa makes his rounds, an orphan creeps into his sack. He inadvertently hitches a ride and reaches the North Pole. He was raised as an elf. He is aware that he stands four feet taller than most other elves. The consciousness makes him travel to New York to find his roots; his father (Ebert para3&4).

Walter Caan, the father, is not instantly melted by the elf’s presence, claiming that he (Walter) is his father. However, as soon as Buddy mentions the name of Walter’s girlfriend of old, and long lost, the elderly man wears a distant look on his face. Buddy is soon invited home. Mary Steenburgen shows rare character among American actresses by humbly embracing her husband’s elf that he got out of wedlock, and also succeeds to make the audience believe that she genuinely does so (Ebert para4).
Towards the movie’s end, the Rangers of the Central Park start chasing the sleigh belonging to Santa. Buddy is busy trying to assemble the engine but it is soon lost. Jovie, nevertheless, having remembered that signing aloud for everyone to hear is the best way spread the cheer of Christmas, she overcomes her shy demeanor. She propels the sleigh into the air through the Christmas spirit, when she charms the crowd to sing that Santa Claus will be coming to town. Walter even joins in the chorus (IMDb para7).