Elf

2003 Comedy

For his sophomore stab at directing, actor/writer/director Jon Favreau (Swingers, Made), took on this holiday comedy starring Saturday Night Live-alum Will Ferrell. Ferrell stars as Buddy, a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus (Edward Asner). When the news is finally broken to Buddy that he's not a real elf, he decides to head back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological family. Elf also stars James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, and Bob Newhart.

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen

 30 Reviews  7 Awards

Reviews

  • The disarming comedic tone -- silly and novel in its lack of cynicism -- is driven by the fearless, cheerful unself-consciousness of Will Ferrell, a big man last seen streaking (all too unself-consciously) through ''Old School.''

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    19 January 2013

  • Directed by Jon Favreau from a script by David Berenbaum, Elf returns to the hip but warm-hearted spirit of "Swingers," which Favreau both wrote and starred in. It brings sophisticated glee and a sense of innocent fun to what could have been a moribund traditional family film.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece. Even the unexpected casting is on the money.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • Funny and intelligently made, a film for kids and adults that's both sweet and sardonic...Elf stays perfectly in balance, a pleasure throughout.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

  • The movie sets Ferrell's assaultive and juvenile physical comedy in a less-combative playground, and the result might leave the Ferrell-intolerant exiting the theater on a high.

    Wesley Morris - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Top Box Office Films

    ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (2004)

  • Best Comedy

    Golden Trailer Awards (2004)

  • Favorite Movie

    Kids' Choice Awards (2004)

     

  • Best Comedic Performance

    MTV Movie Awards (2004)

     

  • Best Live Action Family Film

    Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards (2004)

     

Lists

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