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== Plot == |
== Plot == |
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One Christmas, during a stop at an orphanage, a male infant named Buddy, captivated by the sight of a [[teddy bear]], crawls into [[Santa Claus]]'s ([[Edward Asner]]) sack of gifts while he is delivering toys |
One Christmas, during a stop at an orphanage, a male infant named Buddy, captivated by the sight of a [[teddy bear]], crawls into [[Santa Claus]]'s ([[Edward Asner]]) sack of gifts while he is delivering toys on [[Christmas Eve]]. Santa Claus unknowingly takes Buddy back to the [[North Pole]], where Papa Elf volunteers to raise him. |
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Buddy ([[Will Ferrell]]) grows up unaware that he is |
Buddy ([[Will Ferrell]]) physically grows up and is unaware that he is an adult. Papa Elf ([[Bob Newhart]]) makes him his apprentice and explains that he repairs the "Kringle 3000, 500 Reindeer-Power" jet engine, which he invented when the Christmas spirit that powers the sleigh started declining after people started to stop believing in Santa Claus, forcing him to build the engine to assist Santa. Due to the elves' size and it's environment throughout the North Pole, Buddy is bigger than the elves, and is unable to use the items used by them. His toy making skills become inferior and is unable to keep up with the elves' high quotas, and despite the elves' assurances that he's just "special", is demoted to a demeaning job testing the toys the elves make. While working, he overhears a conversation where another elf reveals that Buddy is a human. Papa Elf reveals that Buddy was born to Walter Hobbs ([[James Caan]]) and Susan Wells and given up for [[adoption]], and that Walter never knew of his existence. He explains how Susan later died and that Walter now works at a children's book company in [[New York City]]. Buddy is convinced by a talking snowman named Leon ([[Leon Redbone]]) to go to New York City and find his father. Buddy sets out for a long trip to New York City to track down his father. Prior to leaving, Santa advises him that New York is not as innocent as Leon implies, and that his father is on the naughty list. |
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Upon |
Upon arrival at New York City, Buddy finds his father in his office in the [[Empire State Building]]. Walter Hobbs initially lets him in, despite thinking Buddy is sending him a [[Christmas greetings|Christmas gram]]. As a result, he incredulously calls security on him when he mentions Susan Wells. During the exile, the guards advise him to go back to [[Gimbels]], where he is mistaken for an employee (who offers a sample of fruit spray), and eventually meets Jovie ([[Zooey Deschanel]]), a Gimbels employee whom he falls in love with. During the store's closure, Buddy elaborately decorates the sales displays with a [[Lego]] model of the [[List of tallest buildings in New York City|New York skyline]], to everyone's astonishment the next morning. When the department store Santa arrives that day to meet children, Buddy is shocked to discover that he is not the genuine Santa he knows, causing the two to escalate into chaos after Buddy rips off the man's fake beard. He is arrested and spends a day in jail. Walter soon bails him out and takes him to a [[pediatrician]] ([[Jon Favreau]]) for a [[DNA profiling|DNA test]]. Once it is proven that he is in fact Walter's son, he takes him home to meet his stepmother, Emily ([[Mary Steenburgen]]) and 12-year-old half-brother named Michael ([[Daniel Tay]]). Buddy confounds the family by his childlike enthusiasm, eccentric food tastes and dining deportment, and insistence that he actually walked from the North Pole. |
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Buddy becomes friends with Michael after helping him defeat |
Buddy becomes friends with Michael after helping him defeat bullies in a [[snowball fight]] in [[Central Park]], and Michael helps Buddy ask Jovie out on a date. Walter, meanwhile, finds out his business is in trouble after publishing the flop "The Puppy and the Pigeon" with two missing pages. Buddy gets a job in the Empire State Building mail room while going to work with Walter. Unfortunately, he accidentally becomes [[Intoxication}tipsy]] on the first day after mistaking the alcohol his coworker was putting in his coffee for syrup. He goes on a date with Jovie and is able to win her over with his child-like enthusiasm. In an effort to save his company, Walter decides to hire the temperamental bestselling children's writer Miles Finch in search of new ideas for children's literature. After the vertically-challenged Finch ([[Peter Dinklage]]) arrives, Buddy bursts into the conference room to tell Walter about his newfound love and mistakes Finch for an elf. When Buddy questions a visibly annoyed Finch about how he managed to leave the [[Santa's workshop|North Pole]], Miles loses his temper causing Buddy to dub him an "[[Napoleon Complex|angry elf]]". Miles then attacks Buddy and storms out without signing a deal with Walter's company. Walter wants nothing to do with Buddy after the incident. Heartbroken, Buddy writes an [[Etch A Sketch]] message to his father and runs away. |
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After Buddy leaves, Walter's associates find that Finch left a notebook filled with ideas behind, saving his pitch. Michael reads Buddy's message and bursts in on Walter's board meeting to frantically inform him that Buddy is gone. He manages to convince Walter to put his family above his job for the first time, despite he got fired. Buddy sees Santa's sleigh crash in Central Park. He finds Santa, who explains that he lost the Kringle 5000's engine, and that the last bit of Christmas Spirit had faded as well. Walter and Michael then encounter Buddy in Central Park, where Walter apologizes to Buddy for his behavior and accepts him as his son. Buddy takes them to meet Santa, who reveals to Michael that believing in him can make his sleigh fly. Michael reads Santa's list in front of TV cameras gathered outside the park, so that people all across New York City believe in him. The [[Mounted police|Central Park Rangers]] begin to chase his sleigh while Buddy is still trying to reattach the engine. |
After Buddy leaves, Walter's associates find that Finch left a notebook filled with ideas behind, saving his pitch. Michael reads Buddy's message and bursts in on Walter's board meeting to frantically inform him that Buddy is gone. He manages to convince Walter to put his family above his job for the first time, despite he got fired. Buddy sees Santa's sleigh crash in Central Park. He finds Santa, who explains that he lost the Kringle 5000's engine, and that the last bit of Christmas Spirit had faded as well. Walter and Michael then encounter Buddy in Central Park, where Walter apologizes to Buddy for his behavior and accepts him as his son. Buddy takes them to meet Santa, who reveals to Michael that believing in him can make his sleigh fly. Michael reads Santa's list in front of TV cameras gathered outside the park, so that people all across New York City believe in him. The [[Mounted police|Central Park Rangers]] begin to chase his sleigh while Buddy is still trying to reattach the engine. |
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Jovie manages to overcome her shyness and get the sleigh back in the air by the power of Christmas spirit when she leads the crowd of people in singing "[[Santa Claus Is Coming to Town]]" on live TV, recalling what Buddy said, that "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for everyone to hear". Santa is still barely unable to fully power the sleigh. Walter, who was mouthing the words, is convinced by Michael to overcome his lack of Christmas spirit and starts singing for real, allowing the sleigh enough power to fly away and save Christmas. By the next Christmas, Walter starts his own publishing company with the first best-selling book released titled ''Elf'', an account of Buddy's adventures written and illustrated by Buddy Hobbs himself. Sometime later, Buddy and Jovie are married and have a daughter named Susan, who is named after Buddy's biological mother. During the film's closure, the family visits Papa Elf at the North Pole. |
Jovie manages to overcome her shyness and get the sleigh back in the air by the power of Christmas spirit when she leads the crowd of people in singing "[[Santa Claus Is Coming to Town]]" on live TV, recalling what Buddy said, that "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for everyone to hear". Santa is still barely unable to fully power the sleigh. Walter, who was mouthing the words, is convinced by Michael to overcome his lack of Christmas spirit and starts singing for real, allowing the sleigh enough power to fly away and save Christmas. By the next Christmas, Walter starts his own publishing company with the first best-selling book released titled ''Elf'', an account of Buddy's adventures written and illustrated by Buddy Hobbs himself. |
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Sometime later, Buddy and Jovie are married and have a daughter named Susan, who is named after Buddy's now-deceased biological mother. During the film's closure, the family visits Papa Elf at the North Pole. |
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== Cast == |
== Cast == |
Revision as of 23:06, 11 March 2014
Elf | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Jon Favreau |
Written by | David Berenbaum |
Produced by | Jon Berg Todd Komarnicki Shauna Robertson |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Greg Gardiner |
Edited by | Dan Lebental |
Music by | John Debney |
Production company | |
Distributed by |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $33 million |
Box office | $225,443,451 |
Elf is a 2003 American Christmas comedy film directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. It stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in the United States on November 7, 2003 and grossed $225,443,451 worldwide. The story is about one of Santa's elves who learns of his true identity as a human and goes to New York City to meet his biological father, spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics as he goes.
Plot
One Christmas, during a stop at an orphanage, a male infant named Buddy, captivated by the sight of a teddy bear, crawls into Santa Claus's (Edward Asner) sack of gifts while he is delivering toys on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus unknowingly takes Buddy back to the North Pole, where Papa Elf volunteers to raise him.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) physically grows up and is unaware that he is an adult. Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) makes him his apprentice and explains that he repairs the "Kringle 3000, 500 Reindeer-Power" jet engine, which he invented when the Christmas spirit that powers the sleigh started declining after people started to stop believing in Santa Claus, forcing him to build the engine to assist Santa. Due to the elves' size and it's environment throughout the North Pole, Buddy is bigger than the elves, and is unable to use the items used by them. His toy making skills become inferior and is unable to keep up with the elves' high quotas, and despite the elves' assurances that he's just "special", is demoted to a demeaning job testing the toys the elves make. While working, he overhears a conversation where another elf reveals that Buddy is a human. Papa Elf reveals that Buddy was born to Walter Hobbs (James Caan) and Susan Wells and given up for adoption, and that Walter never knew of his existence. He explains how Susan later died and that Walter now works at a children's book company in New York City. Buddy is convinced by a talking snowman named Leon (Leon Redbone) to go to New York City and find his father. Buddy sets out for a long trip to New York City to track down his father. Prior to leaving, Santa advises him that New York is not as innocent as Leon implies, and that his father is on the naughty list.
Upon arrival at New York City, Buddy finds his father in his office in the Empire State Building. Walter Hobbs initially lets him in, despite thinking Buddy is sending him a Christmas gram. As a result, he incredulously calls security on him when he mentions Susan Wells. During the exile, the guards advise him to go back to Gimbels, where he is mistaken for an employee (who offers a sample of fruit spray), and eventually meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), a Gimbels employee whom he falls in love with. During the store's closure, Buddy elaborately decorates the sales displays with a Lego model of the New York skyline, to everyone's astonishment the next morning. When the department store Santa arrives that day to meet children, Buddy is shocked to discover that he is not the genuine Santa he knows, causing the two to escalate into chaos after Buddy rips off the man's fake beard. He is arrested and spends a day in jail. Walter soon bails him out and takes him to a pediatrician (Jon Favreau) for a DNA test. Once it is proven that he is in fact Walter's son, he takes him home to meet his stepmother, Emily (Mary Steenburgen) and 12-year-old half-brother named Michael (Daniel Tay). Buddy confounds the family by his childlike enthusiasm, eccentric food tastes and dining deportment, and insistence that he actually walked from the North Pole.
Buddy becomes friends with Michael after helping him defeat bullies in a snowball fight in Central Park, and Michael helps Buddy ask Jovie out on a date. Walter, meanwhile, finds out his business is in trouble after publishing the flop "The Puppy and the Pigeon" with two missing pages. Buddy gets a job in the Empire State Building mail room while going to work with Walter. Unfortunately, he accidentally becomes [[Intoxication}tipsy]] on the first day after mistaking the alcohol his coworker was putting in his coffee for syrup. He goes on a date with Jovie and is able to win her over with his child-like enthusiasm. In an effort to save his company, Walter decides to hire the temperamental bestselling children's writer Miles Finch in search of new ideas for children's literature. After the vertically-challenged Finch (Peter Dinklage) arrives, Buddy bursts into the conference room to tell Walter about his newfound love and mistakes Finch for an elf. When Buddy questions a visibly annoyed Finch about how he managed to leave the North Pole, Miles loses his temper causing Buddy to dub him an "angry elf". Miles then attacks Buddy and storms out without signing a deal with Walter's company. Walter wants nothing to do with Buddy after the incident. Heartbroken, Buddy writes an Etch A Sketch message to his father and runs away.
After Buddy leaves, Walter's associates find that Finch left a notebook filled with ideas behind, saving his pitch. Michael reads Buddy's message and bursts in on Walter's board meeting to frantically inform him that Buddy is gone. He manages to convince Walter to put his family above his job for the first time, despite he got fired. Buddy sees Santa's sleigh crash in Central Park. He finds Santa, who explains that he lost the Kringle 5000's engine, and that the last bit of Christmas Spirit had faded as well. Walter and Michael then encounter Buddy in Central Park, where Walter apologizes to Buddy for his behavior and accepts him as his son. Buddy takes them to meet Santa, who reveals to Michael that believing in him can make his sleigh fly. Michael reads Santa's list in front of TV cameras gathered outside the park, so that people all across New York City believe in him. The Central Park Rangers begin to chase his sleigh while Buddy is still trying to reattach the engine.
Jovie manages to overcome her shyness and get the sleigh back in the air by the power of Christmas spirit when she leads the crowd of people in singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" on live TV, recalling what Buddy said, that "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for everyone to hear". Santa is still barely unable to fully power the sleigh. Walter, who was mouthing the words, is convinced by Michael to overcome his lack of Christmas spirit and starts singing for real, allowing the sleigh enough power to fly away and save Christmas. By the next Christmas, Walter starts his own publishing company with the first best-selling book released titled Elf, an account of Buddy's adventures written and illustrated by Buddy Hobbs himself.
Sometime later, Buddy and Jovie are married and have a daughter named Susan, who is named after Buddy's now-deceased biological mother. During the film's closure, the family visits Papa Elf at the North Pole.
Cast
- Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs
- James Caan as Walter Hobbs
- Zooey Deschanel as Jovie
- Mary Steenburgen as Emily Hobbs
- Daniel Tay as Michael Hobbs
- Edward Asner as Santa Claus
- Bob Newhart as Papa Elf[1]
- Faizon Love as Gimbel's manager
- Peter Dinklage as Miles Finch
- Amy Sedaris as Deborah "Deb"
- Michael Lerner as Greenway
- Andy Richter as Morris
- Kyle Gass as Eugene
- Artie Lange as Gimbel's Santa
- Leon Redbone (voice) as Leon the Snowman
- Ray Harryhausen (voice) as Polar Bear Cub
- Jon Favreau as Dr. Leonardo
Production
Apart from snow, no other computer generated imagery (CGI) was used in the film.[2] The makes heavy use of forced perspective to make Buddy the Elf appear much larger than all the other elves. Stop motion animation was also used.[3]
Zooey Deschanel singing was not in the original script and Favreau added it when he learned she was a singer.[3] Buddy belches for twelve seconds, after drinking a 2 liter bottle of Coca-Cola. The belch was real, as dubbed by voice actor Maurice LaMarche.[4] A line of jack-in-the-box toys are heard emitting a "hyena laugh" sound effect that first appeared in Lady And The Tramp.[citation needed]
Elf was not entirely shot in New York City; there are several scenes shot in Vancouver at the Coquitlam, British Columbia, at Riverview Hospital.[3][5]
Reception
Box office
The film made over $220 million at the box office worldwide,[6] greatly exceeding its production budget of $33 million. In the US it topped the box office on its second week of release, beating out Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. In the UK it ranked #2 behind Love Actually.[7]
- Grosses
- Domestic: $173,398,518
- International: $47,044,933
- Total: $220,443,451
Critical response
The film received positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 84% based on reviews from 178 critics and judges it "Certified Fresh", with the site's consensus that "Ferrell's funny and charming performance makes Elf a delightful Christmas comedy."[8]
Roger Ebert gave Elf 3/4 stars[9]
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2014) |
Accolades
The film was nominated for 9 awards and won 2.[10]
- Won
- 2004 ASCAP award - Top Box Office Films (John Debney)
- 2004 Golden Trailer - Best Comedy
- Nominated
- 2004 Blimp Award - Favorite Movie
- 2004 MTV Movie Award - Best Comedic Performance (Will Ferrell)
- 2004 PFCS Award - Best Live Action Family Film and Best Use of Previously Published or Recorded Music
- 2004 Teen Choice Award - Choice Movie Actor (Will Ferrell) and Choice Movie - comedy
- 2005 Golden Satellite Award - Best Youth DVD
Critics' rankings
Since its release, the film has joined the many holiday-themed films which air annually on television during the Christmas season.
- Empire - #2[11]
- New York Daily News - #23[12]
- about.com - #3[13]
- Digital Spy - #3[14]
- Forbes - #7[15]
- Newsday - #7[16]
- The Guardian - #4[17]
- Chicago Tribune - #17[18]
- San Francisco Chronicle - #4[19]
- Entertainment Weekly - #4[20]
- Total Film - #3[21]
- Hollywood Reporter - #6[22]
Legacy
A Broadway musical based upon the film ran on Broadway during the 2010 Christmas season. It was directed by Casey Nicholaw, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and a book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan.
The musical officially opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on November 10, 2010, after previews from November 2, 2010. The cast included Sebastian Arcelus as Buddy, Amy Spanger as Jovie, Beth Leavel as Emily, Mark Jacoby as Walter, Matthew Gumley as Michael, Valerie Wright as Deb, Michael McCormick as Mr. Greenway, Michael Mandell as Store Manager, and George Wendt as Santa. The musical ran through to January 2, 2011.[23]
Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was released on New Line Records in November 2003 in the USA[24] and in October 2005 in the UK.[25]
- "Pennies from Heaven" - Louis Prima
- "Sleigh Ride" - Ella Fitzgerald and the Frank De Vol Orchestra
- "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - Lena Horne
- "Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus Party" - Ferrante and Teicher/Les Baxter
- "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Leon Redbone/Zooey Deschanel
- "Jingle Bells" - Jim Reeves
- "The Nutcracker Suite" - Brian Setzer
- "Christmas Island" - Leon Redbone
- "Santa Baby" - Eartha Kitt/Henri René and His Orchestra
- "Winter Wonderland" - Leon Redbone
- "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Eddy Arnold
- "Nothing from Nothing" - Billy Preston
Score
The score to the film, composed and conducted by John Debney and performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, was released by Varese Sarabande.[26] The soundtrack was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 15, 2011.
- Papa Elf (1:35)
- Main Title (1:59)
- Buddy's Journey (2:38)
- A Stroll With Buddy (1:32)
- Christmas Medley (2:23)
- Weird Wonderland (1:34)
- The Frozen Battlefield (1:29)
- Buddy's Theme (:58)
- Santa's In Trouble (2:06)
- A Walk In The Park (1:01)
- Attack Of The Little People (1:15)
- Central Park Rangers (2:54)
- Working With Dad (:36)
- A Snowman's Advice (1:47)
- Showdown In The Park (3:31)
- Buddy And Santa Take Flight (1:15)
- Spaghetti And Syrup (1:36)
Home media
Elf is available on DVD, VHS, and Blu-ray, the latter of which was released on October 28, 2008. It is also available for the PlayStation Portable with Universal Media Disc.
References
- ^ "Elf Movie - Bob Newhart Interview". Movies.about.com. 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ Stephanie Snipes CNN. "CNN.com - How to create an 'Elf' - Nov. 7, 2003". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b c By Gary Susman (2013-12-24). "'Elf' at 10: Jon Favreau Reflects on Buddy's Magical Legacy | Movies News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "Maurice LaMarche interview on Talk Radio Meltdown - Explanation of Buddy the Elf's belch at 21:52". Talk Radio Meltdown. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ Explanation of the sound effect
- ^ "Elf (2003)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Elf beats Crowe at US box office". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 16 November 2003. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ "Elf at Rotten Tomatoes". Flixster Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ^ Emerson, Jim (2003-11-07). "Elf Movie Review & Film Summary (2003)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "Elf Awards". IMDB. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "The 30 Best Christmas Movies Ever". empireonline.com. Bauer Consumer Media. December 2010. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ "Merry Christmas! The best Christmas movies ever". Daily News New York. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ "Top 10 Christmas Movies". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ Reynolds, Simon (December 19, 2011). "Muppet Christmas Carol tops Digital Spy favourite Christmas film poll". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ "Elf #7 Forbes best christmas movies of all time".
- ^ "Newsday Elf 7th best christmas film".
- ^ "Guardian Greatest christmas movies Elf #4". HanMan.
- ^ "Chicago tribune #17 elf greatest christmas film of all time". HanMan.
- ^ "SFC Elf #4 Greatest christmas movie of all time".
- ^ "Entertainment Weekly Greatest xmas movies of all time Elf #4".
- ^ "Elf #3 total film greatest xmas film of all time".
- ^ "Elf #6 Greatest xmas film of all time".
- ^ Hetrick, Adam."Beth Leavel, Mark Jacoby and George Wendt to Star in Elf – The Musical on Broadway" playbill.com, August 11, 2010
- ^ "Elf Soundtrack". Amazon.com. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Elf Original Soundtrack". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Hollywood Studio Symphony". Retrieved 1 January 2010.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- Elf at IMDb
- Elf at AllMovie
- Elf at Box Office Mojo
- Elf at Rotten Tomatoes
- Elf: The Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
- Elf Tickets
- 2003 films
- American films
- American comedy films
- English-language films
- 2000s comedy films
- Films directed by Jon Favreau
- American Christmas films
- Fantasy-comedy films
- Films set in department stores
- Films set in New York City
- New Line Cinema films
- Santa Claus in film
- Films with live action and animation
- Films shot in Deluxe Color