by Michael Lyons
Over the past two decades, Elf has probably become one of the most quoted films, Christmas or otherwise. Lines like...
"Son of a nutcracker!"
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."
And, of course, "SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!"
...have not only been uttered throughout the holiday season by fans, but they've also found their way onto T-shirts, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, and other pieces of merchandise.
Since its debut on November 7, 2003, audiences just can't get enough of Elf; not only has the movie been translated into a Broadway musical and an animated special, but the film seemingly runs on a non-stop loop during the season that once seemed reserved for movies like It's a Wonderful Life (TBS just ran 24 hours of Elf over Thanksgiving weekend).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Elf is everywhere and loved by everyone, with an appreciation growing each holiday season. And, you know what? Elf deserves it.
Like the main character of Buddy himself, this is a movie that just wants to please, just wants us to like it, and just wants to make us laugh. And, time and time again, it accomplishes all of this.
Anyone whose heart isn't two sizes too small knows the story of Elf by now - Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who, as an orphan baby, stows away in Santa's (Ed Asner) sack and is adopted by the North Pole elves, and raised by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart).
Eventually learning he is human, he travels to New York City to reunite with his birth father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). In "our world," Buddy falls in love with Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), a Gimbel employee he met during his brief stint.
Buddy also discovers that the Christmas spirit is dwindling and realizes he needs to do something about it.
Director Jon Favreau does a brilliant job in Elf of blending two "Christmas worlds" that seem both familiar and new: the fantasy version of the North Pole, inspired by the stop-motion, classic TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Christmas in our "real world" of New York City, which seems like a fantasy world at Christmastime.
Ferrell's performance is one for the ages. Buddy could have come across as foolish and cartoony, but in his capable hands, the giant elf immediately becomes a character we want to befriend. It's no wonder Buddy has become a pop-culture Christmas icon.
The supporting cast in Elf is also perfect. From Caan's subtle slow burns to Asner's world-weary Santa, everyone in the film crafts fully realized characters that Ferrell could have easily overshadowed.
In the two decades since its debut, Elf has rightly earned its spot among classic Christmas movies like Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone - and as one of my wife Michelle's all-time favorite films.
Not only does it deliver those oh-so-quotable lines ("You sit on a throne of lies!"), but Elf is also a story about positivity overcoming cynicism, the power of kindness, and the strength of our beliefs - which we all need more of, not just at Christmas but all year long.
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