Elf (film)
A human raised by elves searches for his father.
Buddy the Elf, a human who grew up believing he was one of Santa's helpers, discovers his true origins and travels to New York City to find his biological father in this 2003 Christmas comedy. Jon Favreau directed the film from a script by David Berenbaum, with Will Ferrell starring as Buddy. The supporting cast includes James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart.
Released by New Line Cinema on November 7, 2003, *Elf* earned $228.9 million worldwide against a $33 million budget, becoming both a critical and commercial hit. Critics especially praised Ferrell's performance. The film later inspired a 2010 Broadway musical, *Elf: The Musical*, and a 2014 stop-motion animated television special on NBC, *Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas*. It is widely regarded as a modern classic and frequently appears on lists of the best Christmas movies.
The story begins when a baby from an orphanage crawls into Santa's sack on Christmas Eve and is accidentally taken to the North Pole. The elves name him Buddy after his diaper brand, and Papa Elf adopts him. At age 30, Buddy learns he is human. Papa Elf reveals that his birth parents are Walter Hobbs and Susan Wells, who placed him for adoption before her death. Walter works as a children's book publisher at the Empire State Building in New York City, unaware Buddy exists.
Buddy travels to New York and finds Walter at work, but Walter mistakes him for a Christmas-gram messenger and has him thrown out. At a Gimbels department store, Buddy becomes infatuated with an unenthusiastic employee named Jovie. After hearing Santa will visit the store, Buddy redecorates it overnight. When he realizes the store's Santa is a man in costume, he starts a brawl and is arrested.
Walter reluctantly bails Buddy out and takes him for a DNA test, which confirms he is his son. A doctor suggests Buddy is stuck in a childlike state and recommends Walter bring him home to meet stepmother Emily and half-brother Michael. Walter and Michael are unsettled by Buddy's behavior, but Emily insists they care for him until he "recovers." After Buddy defeats a gang of bullies in a snowball fight, Michael bonds with him and helps him ask Jovie on a date.
Meanwhile, Walter's publishing company struggles after a failed book. His boss, Fulton Greenway, demands a new book by Christmas Eve.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Jon Favreau
- Writer
- David Berenbaum
- Producer
- Jon Berg / Todd Komarnicki / Shauna Robertson
- Starring
- Will Ferrell / James Caan / Zooey Deschanel / Mary Steenburgen / Ed Asner / Bob Newhart
- Cinematography
- Greg Gardiner
- Editing
- Dan Lebental
- Music
- John Debney
- Studio
- Guy Walks Into a Bar
- Distributor
- New Line Cinema
- Released
- 7 November 2003
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's plot follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who discovers his true origins at age 30 and travels to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, a children's book publisher unaware of Buddy's existence. Buddy's childlike behavior initially alienates his father and half-brother Michael, but he eventually bonds with them and wins the heart of Jovie, a department store employee. The story culminates in a Christmas Eve rescue of Santa's sleigh, powered by collective Christmas spirit generated by a crowd singing 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town'.
Reader's Guide
Elf was released by New Line Cinema on November 7, 2003, grossing $228.9 million worldwide against a $33 million budget. Will Ferrell's performance as Buddy was particularly praised by critics. The film inspired the 2010 Broadway musical Elf: The Musical and NBC's 2014 stop motion animated television special Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas. Its soundtrack, featuring the single 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone, was certified Gold by the RIAA and is the second-highest-selling Christmas film soundtrack since 1991. The film's production involved heavy use of forced perspective and minimal CGI, with director Jon Favreau reworking an initially darker script into a PG-rated homage to Rankin/Bass Christmas specials.
Did You Know?
- David Berenbaum wrote the script in 1993, with Chris Farley and Jim Carrey as early candidates to play Buddy.
- Zooey Deschanel's singing was not in the original script; her musical performance was added after she was cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the protagonist of Elf (2003)?
Buddy is a human child raised at the North Pole among Santa's elves, only to learn as an adult that he was never truly one of them. He then heads to New York City to track down his biological father.
Who directed and wrote Elf (2003)?
Jon Favreau directed the film, working from a screenplay penned by David Berenbaum. Will Ferrell starred as the lead, Buddy.
How does Elf (2003) end?
Buddy finally locates his estranged father Walter in New York, and after a tense confrontation the two reconcile. Walter takes Buddy out to see the city's Christmas lights, and they begin building a genuine family bond.
Why is Elf (2003) considered a holiday classic?
New Line Cinema released the film in November 2003, and it grossed roughly $229 million worldwide against a $33 million budget. Will Ferrell's over-the-top performance as Buddy drew widespread critical praise and helped cement the movie as a seasonal staple.
Who is in the supporting cast of Elf (2003)?
James Caan plays Walter, Buddy's biological father, while Zooey Deschanel portrays his love interest Jovie. Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, and Bob Newhart round out the ensemble.
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