A story of love, family and the joy of the holiday spirit never gets old. 2003’s “Elf”, directed by Jon Favreau, places Will Ferrell in the titular role of Buddy the Elf, a human who was adopted by Santa and his elves at the North Pole. After finding out the truth of his origin, he sets off to New York City to find his biological father, and gets into a lot of mischief along the way. 

What this film does well is managing to tackle serious issues in a cheery, holiday dressing. The backdrop of a cold, both literally and figuratively, New York City provides a perfect foil for our protagonist’s bright and optimistic demeanor. From blind corporate greed to unrealized potential, Buddy manages to instill a hopeful spirit into the people that he meets, whether they’re naughty or nice. His encounters with the various colorful characters throughout the film highlight different aspects of a jaded world and a commercialized holiday, and by the end he shows the audience what it means to believe in the joyous Christmas spirit once more.

The movie offers a lot to enjoy for both kids and adults. It utilizes a fine balance of humor intended for both audiences, but it doesn’t stray too far into the territory of needless slapstick. It uses it as a vehicle for a heartwarming tale about what’s truly important in life, be it spending time with loved ones or following one’s dreams. Even if Santa isn’t real in this world, the holiday spirit surely is and can melt even the coldest of hearts.