> > Elf
Elf Poster

Elf

Genre: Comedy, Kids/Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
In Theaters:
3.5

Elf begins with narration by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart), explaining the only three jobs available to an elf: making shoes for a cobbler; baking cookies inside of trees; and working in Santa's workshop. He also explains Buddy's presence at the North Pole — as an infant in an orphanage, he crawled into Santa Claus's sack of toys one Christmas Eve and was accidentally taken to the North Pole. Santa (Edward Asner) decides to allow the child, called "Buddy" after a label on his diaper, to be raised by Papa Elf, who has no children of his own.

As Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows, his height and poor toymaking skills raise awkward questions that his adoptive father continually waves away. Papa Elf also shows Buddy the jet engine he created in the 1960s to assist Santa's sleigh, which had run on the power of the Christmas spirit, until people began to doubt Santa's existence.

After a string of accidents in which Buddy's non-elfness becomes obvious, Papa Elf breaks the news that he was adopted: Buddy's birth parents fell in love with each other when they were high school students in the 1970s, and nine months later, Buddy was born. His late mother, Susan Wells, placed him for adoption at the orphanage. Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), was never aware of Buddy's existence, and has since become a children's book publishing executive with offices in the Empire State Building; Walter is presently married to Emily (Mary Steenburgen), and has a 10-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Tay). Santa informs Buddy that Hobbs is unfortunately on the Naughty List for being a heartless grouch, but has confidence that Buddy will be able to change his Scrooge-like father into a kind and caring human being.

Buddy is overwhelmed by the news. With information from Papa Elf and encouragement from a snowman (Leon Redbone), he sets off to New York to find his biological father. Upon arriving, he is puzzled with the culture of the city, but eventually finds his way to Walter's office, only to be thrown out as Walter has no idea who Buddy is.

Buddy finds the department store Gimbels, comes across its Christmas display "The North Pole," and is subsequently mistaken as an employee by the manager (Faizon Love). Buddy meets fellow employee Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) and befriends her. When the manager says that Santa Claus is coming, Buddy assumes that the real Santa is coming and becomes very excited.

After Gimbels closes for the night, Buddy secretly stays to decorate "The North Pole" for Santa's arrival. When the employees return, they are amazed at Buddy's work, although the manager fears someone is plotting to steal his job. When the store Santa (Artie Lange) arrives, Buddy spots him as a fake and gets into a fight around "The North Pole," destroying much of the decoration. He is arrested, and a restraining order is issued against Buddy.

Walter bails Buddy from jail after getting a card from him that includes a picture of Walter and Susan. He learns through a paternity test that Buddy is indeed Walter's son. Walter allows Buddy to move into his apartment, hoping to get him to adjust to a normal life. Buddy becomes friends with Michael, who suggests that Buddy go on a date with Jovie. He and Jovie kiss while ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

Buddy excitedly barges in on a Christmas Eve meeting between Walter and a famous children's author and a little person, Miles Finch (Peter Dinklage), trying to get a book out before Christmas. Buddy mistakes Miles as a fellow elf, which causes Miles to attack him and to walk out. Walter tells Buddy to get out of his life, stating that he doesn't care if Buddy is crazy, an elf, or even that Buddy is his son.

Buddy runs away. Michael returns home to finds Buddy's final message written on an Etch-A-Sketch and tells his dad what happened. Walter realizes what he has done and leaves an important meeting with his boss to go find Buddy, resulting in his being fired.

Wandering through Central Park, Buddy comes across Santa's grounded sleigh. Santa explains that the engine broke off and the sleigh will not fly. Walter and Michael, searching the park for Buddy, happen upon the engine. Buddy works on repairing the sleigh while Walter and Michael, helped by Jovie, attempt to distract the "naughty" park rangers who have come to capture Santa Claus. Santa and Buddy manage to take off just in time. The engine fails, but the others' efforts, including Walter's new belief in Christmas, give the sleigh enough Christmas spirit to continue on its way.

After Christmas, Walter starts a new publishing company, with its first book, "Elf", written by Buddy Hobbs, becoming an award-winning children's novel. Buddy and Jovie get married and have a daughter named Susie (which is seen, stitched on her hat).

Director:

Jon Favreau
Screenplay: David Berenbaum
Studio: New Line Cinema
DVD Release: 2004-11-16 00:00:00.0
Tagline: This holiday, discover your inner elf.
Synopsis

Elf begins with narration by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart), explaining the only three jobs available to an elf: making shoes for a cobbler; baking cookies inside of trees; and working in Santa's workshop. He also explains Buddy's presence at the North Pole — as an infant in an orphanage, he crawled into Santa Claus's sack of toys one Christmas Eve and was accidentally taken to the North Pole. Santa (Edward Asner) decides to allow the child, called "Buddy" after a label on his diaper, to be raised by Papa Elf, who has no children of his own.

As Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows, his height and poor toymaking skills raise awkward questions that his adoptive father continually waves away. Papa Elf also shows Buddy the jet engine he created in the 1960s to assist Santa's sleigh, which had run on the power of the Christmas spirit, until people began to doubt Santa's existence.

After a string of accidents in which Buddy's non-elfness becomes obvious, Papa Elf breaks the news that he was adopted: Buddy's birth parents fell in love with each other when they were high school students in the 1970s, and nine months later, Buddy was born. His late mother, Susan Wells, placed him for adoption at the orphanage. Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), was never aware of Buddy's existence, and has since become a children's book publishing executive with offices in the Empire State Building; Walter is presently married to Emily (Mary Steenburgen), and has a 10-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Tay). Santa informs Buddy that Hobbs is unfortunately on the Naughty List for being a heartless grouch, but has confidence that Buddy will be able to change his Scrooge-like father into a kind and caring human being.

Buddy is overwhelmed by the news. With information from Papa Elf and encouragement from a snowman (Leon Redbone), he sets off to New York to find his biological father. Upon arriving, he is puzzled with the culture of the city, but eventually finds his way to Walter's office, only to be thrown out as Walter has no idea who Buddy is.

Buddy finds the department store Gimbels, comes across its Christmas display "The North Pole," and is subsequently mistaken as an employee by the manager (Faizon Love). Buddy meets fellow employee Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) and befriends her. When the manager says that Santa Claus is coming, Buddy assumes that the real Santa is coming and becomes very excited.

After Gimbels closes for the night, Buddy secretly stays to decorate "The North Pole" for Santa's arrival. When the employees return, they are amazed at Buddy's work, although the manager fears someone is plotting to steal his job. When the store Santa (Artie Lange) arrives, Buddy spots him as a fake and gets into a fight around "The North Pole," destroying much of the decoration. He is arrested, and a restraining order is issued against Buddy.

Walter bails Buddy from jail after getting a card from him that includes a picture of Walter and Susan. He learns through a paternity test that Buddy is indeed Walter's son. Walter allows Buddy to move into his apartment, hoping to get him to adjust to a normal life. Buddy becomes friends with Michael, who suggests that Buddy go on a date with Jovie. He and Jovie kiss while ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

Buddy excitedly barges in on a Christmas Eve meeting between Walter and a famous children's author and a little person, Miles Finch (Peter Dinklage), trying to get a book out before Christmas. Buddy mistakes Miles as a fellow elf, which causes Miles to attack him and to walk out. Walter tells Buddy to get out of his life, stating that he doesn't care if Buddy is crazy, an elf, or even that Buddy is his son.

Buddy runs away. Michael returns home to finds Buddy's final message written on an Etch-A-Sketch and tells his dad what happened. Walter realizes what he has done and leaves an important meeting with his boss to go find Buddy, resulting in his being fired.

Wandering through Central Park, Buddy comes across Santa's grounded sleigh. Santa explains that the engine broke off and the sleigh will not fly. Walter and Michael, searching the park for Buddy, happen upon the engine. Buddy works on repairing the sleigh while Walter and Michael, helped by Jovie, attempt to distract the "naughty" park rangers who have come to capture Santa Claus. Santa and Buddy manage to take off just in time. The engine fails, but the others' efforts, including Walter's new belief in Christmas, give the sleigh enough Christmas spirit to continue on its way.

After Christmas, Walter starts a new publishing company, with its first book, "Elf", written by Buddy Hobbs, becoming an award-winning children's novel. Buddy and Jovie get married and have a daughter named Susie (which is seen, stitched on her hat).

editor-ajax-loader
a4
a4
Reply Report Delete Edit
Choose Your Language
Interface Language
This changes the interface language of the site. It won't change the language of the site content.
Content Language
This changes the content language of the site. It won't change your interface language.
editor-ajax-loader