Elf (2003)
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A human raised by elves travels to New York City to find his biological father.
The story
After being mistakenly taken to the North Pole as a baby and raised by elves, Buddy discovers in adulthood that he is actually a human. Upon learning that his biological father is living in New York City, Buddy travels to the city to find him. However, his presence causes confusion and conflict as he navigates the bustling city, eventually finding himself in a department store where he becomes infatuated with an employee. The story follows Buddy's journey to connect with his human family while navigating his unique identity as an elf-raised human during the Christmas season.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
A baby from an orphanage is taken to the North Pole and raised by elves who name him Buddy. Growing up, he believes he is an elf until he learns he is human and that his father, Walter, lives in New York City. Buddy travels to New York, where Walter initially mistakes him for a messenger. After a series of mishaps at a department store, including a brawl and arrest, Walter bails Buddy out and they eventually reconcile. Buddy meets Walter's new family and wins over his stepbrother, Michael. The plot follows their interactions, including a tense meeting with a ghostwriter and a dramatic rescue of Santa's sleigh in Central Park. The film concludes with Walter starting a successful publishing company, Buddy marrying Jovie, and the family reuniting with the elves at the North Pole.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 97
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jon Favreau
- Writers
- David Berenbaum · writer
- Cast and characters
- Will Ferrell · Buddy the Elf; James Caan · Walter; Zooey Deschanel · Jovie; Mary Steenburgen · Emily; Ed Asner · Papa Elf; Bob Newhart · Santa
- Genres
- comedy; Christmas; adventure; fantasy; children's
- Themes
- identity; family; Christmas spirit
- Tone and mood
- lighthearted; whimsical; heartwarming
- Setting
- The North Pole and New York City during the Christmas season.
- Premise and plot tags
- fish out of water; found family; holiday comedy
- Reception
- The film was a major critical and commercial success, praised for Will Ferrell's performance and hailed as a modern classic and one of the best Christmas films of all time.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 66 · scale: 100 · review count: 39
- Production trivia
- The film inspired a Broadway musical and a stop-motion animated television special.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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