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Summary

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.

Cast

Will Ferrell

Buddy

James Caan

Walter

Bob Newhart

Papa Elf

Ed Asner

Santa

Mary Steenburgen

Emily

Zooey Deschanel

Jovie

Daniel Tay

Michael

Faizon Love

Gimbels Manager

Peter Dinklage

Miles Finch

Amy Sedaris

Deb

Michael Lerner

Fulton

Andy Richter

Morris

Kyle Gass

Eugene

Artie Lange

Gimbels Santa

Leon Redbone

Leon the Snowman (voice)

Ray Harryhausen

Polar Bear Cub (voice)

Claire Lautier

NY 1 Reporter

Ted Friend

NY 1 Anchor

Patrick Ferrell

Security Guard

Patrick McCartney

Security Guard

Jon Favreau

Doctor / Mr. Narwhal (voice)

Lydia Lawson-Baird

Carolyn

Brenda McDonald

Nun

Annie Brebner

Elf Student

Luke Pohl

Elf Student

Meghan Black

Elf

Patrick Baynham

Elf

Michael Roberds

Disgruntled Cobbler Elf

Peter A. Hulne

Elf Twin

Patrick Hulne

Elf Twin

Richard Side

Elf Teacher

David-Paul Grove

Pom Pom

Kristian Ayre

Foom Foom

Lorin Heath

Perfume Clerk

Dillard Brinson

Printer

Brad Turner

Office Co-Worker

David Berenbaum

Office Co-Worker

Brenda Crichlow

Office Co-Worker

Oscar Goncalves

Francisco

Mary Black

Nurse

John Murray

Man in Elevator

Mark Acheson

Mailroom Guy

Robin Mossley

Chuck

Paul Schofield

Kid with Santa

Matt Walsh

Will McCormack

Witness

Gus Michael

Witness

Alexandra Michael

Child

Terry J. Scarlatos

Police Officer

Jonathan Bruce

Biker

Akeem A. Smith

School Kid

Michael Christopher Fischetti

School Kid

Jane Bradbury

Susan Welles

Peter Billingsley

Ming Ming (uncredited)

Jay Finocchiaro

Passerby (uncredited)

Craig 'Radio Man' Castaldo

Radioman (uncredited)

Graeme Duffy

Orange Elf (uncredited)

Maurice LaMarche

Buddy's Belch (voice) (uncredited)

Rachel Lana Li

Child (uncredited)

Natasha Denis

Gimbels Elf (uncredited)

Nance Nickels

Extra in crowd (uncredited)

Albert Precourt

Passerby (uncredited)

Joe Ranft

Store Owner (uncredited)

Jamie Vergan

Ice skater (uncredited)

Max Favreau

Young Buddy (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Screenplay

Jon Favreau

Writer

David Berenbaum

Reviews

narrator56

August 18, 2020

Okay, this is a fun movie, what I consider to be one of those classic Christmas movies I am willing to watch every year. And for me, that is a fairly short list, such as A Christmas Story and the ubiquitous It’s a Wonderful Life. (Interestingly, Peter Billingsley, who plays the lead Ralphie role in A Christmas Story, has an adult role in Elf.)

The script goes over the top a bit sometimes, resulting in cringeworthy moments for me, but it is harmless and easily forgiven. There is wit, pathos and sight gags galore. I like the chemistry between Will Farrell and Zooey, and it is a treat to have national treasures Ed Asner and Bob Newhart leading off the film as Santa and the Papa elf. James Caan and Mary Steenburgen are credible as Elf’s prospective new family in New York City.

So there is not a lot of depth to this movie, nor is there supposed to be. It is a great film to watch with friends or extended family. It shouldn’t offend anyone and you can visit with each other, because you don’t have to pay close attention to the plot. In fact, many viewers will be able to recite he lines along with the characters.