Christmas Movie #19: Elf

With all the fuss about Anchorman 2 lately, it's easy to forget that there's one role that Will Ferrell played better than Ron Burgundy. Yes, in case that was too subtle, it's Buddy the Elf.

It's a testament to how good Ferrell can be that he can play cocky, overtly masculine misogynist Ron, but then also be the sweet, innocent, child like Buddy.

Elf has quickly become one of my favourite Christmas films. It's instantly quotable ("you sit on a throne of lies"), imaginative (the stop motion elf world is beutifully realised) and by the end geuinely heartwarming (the Santa Claus is Coming To Town sing along is proper punch the air great... I didn't punch the air, I was in my flat by myself, that would be weird). 

Ferrell is great, but what makes his performance work is the supporting characters. James Caan (yeh, you know, the one who was in The Godfather) is excellent as Buddy's confused, cynical Dad. He may not always be likeable, but his air of pessism is what stops Buddy from becoming to annoying. And also, Zooey Deschanel. Her kookiness may have become a worn out now, but in this she is the perfect romantic foil, never cutesy, but believably falling in love with an innocent man child.

What makes Elf great, is just the levels on which it works. Kids will find the slapstick funny, while adults can enjoy the edgier humour. Long may Elf continue to grow into a modern classic.