When the film Swingers emerged on the scene in 1996, it wasn't
easy to predict how the two leads would progress in the Hollywood
system. Who would have thought it was Jon Favreau and not Vince
Vaughn that was making big bucks on such blockbusters as Iron Man
and Cowboys & Aliens? And some smaller films too, such as the
smaller budget fare of the modern Christmas movie, Elf.
Sneaking into Santa's sack in an orphanage as a toddler, Buddy the
human-sized elf is far from fitting in Santa's workshop. Though
proudly carrying more Christmas spirit than others, he is oversized
and clumsy, and is reluctantly told by Papa Elf that his calling is
in New York City. He must go find his father, Walter Hobbs, a
disgruntled and naughty-listed children's book publisher, played by
James Caan.
Buddy is played by Will Ferrell, who is in wonderful form, playing
childish ignorance like only he can, and it is his journey around
the Big Apple that brings the real fun. He investigates the
oddities of modern America from a North Pole viewpoint. He must
learn - or ignore the advice - not to eat the gum on the sidewalk,
that peep shows have nothing to do with Christmas presents, and
that running around in revolving door can make you quite
unwell.
The ever-cute and ever-singing Zooey Deschanel plays Buddy's love
interest, a cynical sales clerk-come-elf at the toy store, who
warms to Buddy's honest love for life. Wooing her becomes just as
important as being welcomed into the family. He grows close to his
younger step-brother Michael after single-handedly defending him
from a gang of bullies in a snowball fight, showing his expertise
in all things Christmassy, even warfare.
The antics of his son are not easy for Walter to accept, from his
attacking fake Santas at toy stores to adding maple syrup and
M&M's to every meal. Things come to a head when he finds an
angry "South Pole elf" in the form of a talented Peter Dinklage as
a dwarfed and hugely famous children's author, who happens to be
Walter's best chance at a Christmas book signing.
A community rendition of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' is
necessary to save Santa's sleigh from capture by the Central Park
Rangers and allows the gift-giving of Christmas to continue.
Because after all, "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is
singing loud for all to hear."
Fun Fact:
The 12 second-long belch that Buddy provides after drinking a full
2 litres of cola was actually performed by voice actor, Maurice
LaMarche, best-known as 'The Brain' from beloved children's
animation Pinky and the Brain