Classic Christmas Review #3: Elf

In selected cinemas and available on Sky Cinema

Jon Favreau’s festive favourite has lost none of its charm, even 20 years on from its original release. That’s chiefly because Elf, written by David Berenbaum, understands that at the core of any genuinely great Christmas film is authenticity and heart, which here are characterised by Will Ferrell’s now-iconic turn as Buddy the Elf.

In a vein not dissimilar to Jim Carrey’s scene-chewing turn in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Ferrell is at the centre of everything great about this picture, churning out iconic one-liners with an ease afforded to only the most competent of comics. However, unlike Ron Howard’s aforementioned picture, Elf boasts a stellar supporting cast that includes James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart, all who individually contribute plenty to proceedings.

Favreau’s directorial approach also distinguishes Elf through the intermittent use of forced perspective and stop motion (as opposed to CGI), while Berenbaum’s screenplay also has the distinction of not lifting and shifting the lion’s share of its narrative from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Instead, the story we are treated to here, while not wholly original, is more about the unique sense of joy and togetherness that is associated with this time of year.

Subsequently, Elf is one of those rare treasures that fills your heart with each and every watch.