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Looking for a good family movie to rent this Christmas? I have to
admit that I had been putting off seeing this movie because I was
expecting some kind of Saturday Night Live-like Christmas knock-off. But
when I sat down with the kids to start watching it, I found myself
quieting them down so that I did not miss anything!
Ferrell plays a man (Buddy) who was raised by Santa and the elves at
the North Pole. When he realizes that he was adopted and is really a
human, Buddy sets out to find his birth father, played by Caan. Buddy's
father, unfortunately, is not on Santa's nice list. When Buddy arrives
in New York City, he is like the proverbial fish out of water. Similar
to characters in 80s movies like Splash and My Stepmother is an Alien,
we laugh as we watch the main characters "discover" simple things we
take for granted.
As the relationships between the characters took shape, I could feel
myself really pulling for the happy ending. Buddy desperately wants to
connect with his new family, especially his father. When faced with the
chance to prove his worth and help Santa Claus, can Buddy rise to the
occasion?
This light-hearted movie left me feeling all fuzzy inside and even a
little teary-eyed. Call me sentimental, but Elf is definitely a
Christmas movie that my whole family will watch for years to come.
Tricia Meyer
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