Elf

2003's ELF is ranked among the most beloved of holiday favorites and you'll know why about the time two characters duet "Baby, It's Cold Outside".  Maybe long before, when Bob Newhart, playing Papa Elf, begins his narration.  Or when you discover Ed Asner is playing Santa Claus.  The fine cast also includes James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, and Zooey Deschanel.

And of course, Will Ferrell as Buddy.  I loved Will on Saturday Night Live, but somehow his comedic genius never really translated to the movies.  At least for me.  He always tries too hard, seems too aware of the process.  There are a few of those moments here, but overall he was a perfect fit for this role.  Makes it positively iconic.  An energetic and believably heartfelt performance that won me over.

That describes the movie.  Buddy, an orphan who comes to be raised in the North Pole by Papa Elf and his offspring, learns he is human and has a father in Manhattan.  A grouchy book publisher named Walter Hobbs (Caan, wonderfully cast).  Buddy sets out to reunite with him but as you would imagine it doesn't go smoothly.  At first, anyway. The journey to familial harmony will be paved with destroyed Christmas displays and hard feelings.  And lots of sweets.  And it's great fun.

Deschanel, as Gimbels employee Jovie, rocks the blonde hair and is the right mix of cynicism and heart.  It is with her that Buddy sings the duet, though she's in the shower and he's nearby and, well.  It's a cute scene. On the soundtrack, Zooey sings with Leon Redbone, by the way.  She will be the eventual love interest but director Jon Favreau and screenwriter David Berenbaum never reduce her to a cliche or give her an unconvincing arc.  

Gimbels? Didn't it close in the '80s? Never mind.  Did I ever tell you my grandmother worked there as a seamstress in the '50s?

Everyone's favorite dwarf Peter Dinklage plays childrens' book author Miles Finch.  Another sour bastard in this actor's resume, but again amusing.  Maybe topped only by his performance in I CARE A LOT. 

ELF is just as destructive and of-the-moment as many other films of its era, but plays the heart strings well enough.  Many of the disposable jokes will fade from memory but the glow of warm feelings will remain long after AMC's fiftieth airing this Christmas.