Movies Under the Stars: Elf

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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‘Tis the season and all that. If you want to get in the Christmas spirit, I recommend loading up on Christmas movies – everything from, say, “The Bishop’s Wife” and “Christmas in Connecticut” to Hallmark holiday rom-coms.

For a quick fix, catch Will Ferrell’s modern holiday classic “Elf,” which will be playing on December 21 at 6 p.m.as part of the terrific Movies Under the Stars series, co-sponsored by Monroe County Public Libraries and Tropic Cinema.

Like the name implies, this is an outdoor movie shown in front of the Tropic on Eaton Street. Bring your own chair. And a blanket.

What’s more, it’s free.

To refresh your memory, the movie “Elf” tells the wacky story of a human raised by Santa’s elves. Adopted by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) after the child crawls into Santa’s pack, Buddy (Ferrell) grows up thinking he’s a real elf – despite the size difference. When the faux elf learns his true identity, he heads off to New York to meet his human father, a dour children’s book editor named Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Mayhem and mischief ensue.

Yes, you’ll laugh your … uh, booties off.

Buddy’s love interest is an apathetic Gimbels’ employee named Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). There’s a dwarfish children’s book author (Peter Dinklage, naturally). And, of course, Ed Asner makes the perfect Santa Claus.

Look closely, Will Ferrell’s brother Patrick makes an appearance as an Empire State Building security guard. Peter Billingsley (Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”) has an uncredited part as the head elf Ming Ming. Singer Leon Redbone voices Leon the Snowman. And the film’s director Jon Favreau (“The Lion King,” “Iron Man” et al.) does a cameo as Walter’s family doctor, who performss a DNA test on Buddy – as well voicing Baby Walrus, Mr. Narwhal, and the Artic Puffin.

Also uncredited is Maurice LaMarche (Big Bob in TV’s “Hey Arnold!”), who provides Buddy’s extended belch. You’ll know the scene when you see it.

The soundtrack is brimming with classic Christmas music, including Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride,” Lena Horn’s “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!”, and Ray Charles’s “Winter Wonderland” among the jolly selections. And, although the song is considered unPC these days (I object), there’s a delightful duet of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel.

Nobody does a man-child role better than Will Ferrell (former “Saturday Night Live” cast member, “Old School,” “Step Brothers,” “Anchorman”).

Giving “Elf” a rating of 86% (it deserves higher), Rotten Tomatoes summarized it: “A movie full of Yuletide cheer, ‘Elf’ is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell’s funny and charming performance as one of Santa’s biggest helpers.”

The New York Times described it as “a charming, silly family Christmas movie more likely to spread real joy than migraine, indigestion and sugar shock. The movie succeeds because it at once restrains its sticky, gooey good cheer and wildly overdoes it.”

Fandango users rated “Elf” as the best Christmas film of the 21st Century. I’d call it a tie with “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Don’t overlook these monthly Movies Under the Stars. They’re one of the best things for Key West moviegoers since Atlantic Shores closed down.

So get out your blanket and folding chair. “Elf” will put you in the Christmas spirit, f’sure.

Enjoy!

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com