Elf

Elf is a 2003 Will Ferrell film, likable even if you aren't a Will Ferrell fan. I oughta know. This is a sweet family film. It's great fun -a human Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We think it's perfect. It could have so easily been dreadful, but everything that could have been done right was done right. Mistakes were not made. Elf is an annual holiday tradition at our house.

The movie is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Will Ferrell as the human brought up as an elf, James Caan as Buddy's biological father, Mary Steenburgen as Buddy's step-mom, Zooey Deschanel as Buddy's love interest Jovie, Bob Newhart as Buddy's adoptive elf papa and has Ed Asner as Santa.

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Slate calls it "a heartwarming homage to Christmas movies past". Salon.com says it's an "irresistibly goofy Christmas comedy" and that the director "gets the mood and tone and look of “Elf” just right". The New York Times calls it a "charming" success. Roger Ebert says,

This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece.

Rotten Tomatoes gives it a score of 84%.