I like watching great movies and TV, but it so happens that a lot of today’s great movies and TV are murder-mysteries and pitch-black comedies. It affects my mood. “Elf” (2003) is a perfect palette cleanser because it taps into Christmas spirit in the non-cynical, old-school sense of the phrase.
While it’s not necessarily true that only sweet-natured Christmas films become classics (we do like variety, after all), it’s nice to have some pure entries in the holiday rotation. With no risqué or violent scenes, “Elf” is safe for all ages.
We believe Newhart
Even though that last sentence sounds like I’ve described a boring film, “Elf” is completely engaging for its 97 minutes. Its good-heartedness is established by Bob Newhart as narrator Papa Elf, who adopts Buddy (a baby, and later Will Ferrell) when the orphan is accidentally smuggled to the North Pole by Santa (Ed Asner).
“Elf” (2003)
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: David Berenbaum
Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
With his dry newscaster voice, we believe Newhart; he’s the foundational “brain” of the film. Other pitch-perfect veteran turns come from Asner as the Santa who has seen it all but is still reasonably jolly, and James Caan as Buddy’s Big Apple biological father, Walter.
The workaholic dad is a staple of Christmas films, but Caan makes the tropes fresh by sanding off the edge he has shown in other films. Also, his wife is played by Mary Steenburgen, so he’s gotta be a fairly down-the-middle dude.
This could’ve been a “What About Bob?” situation wherein the professional man is driven crazy by the ridiculous free spirit he can’t shake off; it could’ve made “Elf” mean or cynical. Instead, Walter approaches Buddy as a problem to be solved, not something to lose his mind (and wife and kid and everything else) over. Walter is on Santa’s “naughty” list, but he’s not a mean person to be loathed.
Well-calibrated Will
Ferrell comes in as “Elf’s” titular heart, and he likewise finds the perfect pitch. The comedic actor understands that introductory shot of him as a giant in a North Pole classroom — compared to the elves around him — speaks for itself.
I love how Buddy’s ignorance and innocence about human customs translates as confidence when he ventures to New York City and meets department-store elf Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), whose “Don’t talk to me” vibe is ignored by Buddy. Jovie is the classic ennui-laden young adult who is depressed for no particular reason.
In 2003, Jovie’s characterization was both tired and underdeveloped, especially during an era when Deschanel kept giving these great little supporting turns but hadn’t yet landed a major role. But it’s more timeless today because we can lump Jovie in with Nineties teens.
Jovie is a shy about singing in public. Upon casting Deschanel (who later put out a Christmas album with She & Him), director Jon Favreau and writer David Berenbaum worked Jovie’s singing ability into the plot. “Elf” has that touch of kismet wherein everything fits and nothing feels contrived. Cliches are acknowledged but not dwelled upon.
For example, of course Michael (Daniel Tay) is initially annoyed by suddenly having an older – and uncool — brother. But of course Buddy is excellent at snowball fights, and that’s what wins his bro’s admiration.
Maybe it’s not uncool to care
A scene where Buddy sees little person Miles (Peter Dinklage) and assumes he is an elf is both delightfully innocent and darkly (by this film’s cozy standards) funny. Both Buddy’s words and Miles’ angry reactions are in line from their own points of view. It’s a great scene for illustrating how misunderstandings can easily happen, with neither person having negative intentions.
In a broader sense, “Elf” has value in how it shows that Buddy simultaneously does everything wrong (from the standpoint of cultural norms) and always means well. As Michael – not quite old enough to be cynical – tells his dad, “Buddy cares about everyone.”
As a comedy, “Elf” can be slightly dinged because it’s not uproariously funny; it doesn’t have the brilliant setups and knockdowns of, say, “Christmas Vacation.” But it does connect with obvious humor (Buddy belching after guzzling a 2-liter of Coke) and cute dialog (“Do you like that girl?” “What girl?” “The one you’re staring at.”).
Structurally, it’s a simple fish-out-of-water story, complete with jolly and grinchy characters and everyone coming together under the banner of Christmas Spirit. It exists in fantasy land, but stays grounded thanks to Farrell, Caan, Newhart, Asner and Deschanel.
This is one “Elf” that shouldn’t stay on the shelf in December.