CHRISTMAS MOVIES - Elf (2003)

Film genres have formulas and rules, but how well do films follow those formulas?  Let's look at the Christmas film...

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." ~ Buddy.

Elf is a film about a foundling, raised by one of Santa's elves who returns to the modern world in a fish-out-of-water Christmas comedy.

The following may contain spoilers for

Elf (2003)

RULE #1

CHARACTERS

• Someone Who Hates Christmas - Walter especially.
• Someone Who Inflicts Christmas Cheer on Others - Buddy.
• Precocious Kids - Michael at times.
• Bullied Kid - Michael.
• Silver-haired joval old person - Papa Elf probably counts.
• Someone with a secret - Walter, although much of the cast knows it.
• Stressed Young Female - Does not appear.
• The Single - Jovie.
• Someone Career Obsessed - Walter, obviously.
• Grumpy Old (usually) Man - Probably Miles Finch and Walter's boss.
• Sassy Old (usually) Woman - Does not appear.
• An Inappropriate Santa Impersonator - The first one is made into a abusive fighting Santa by Buddy's pestering.  The manager replaces him in what appears to be a half-hearted way.

RULE #2

SEX & NUDITY

Jovie has a shower scene (all naked shoulders and shower curtains) and Buddy drops his pants.  More than you'd expect from a Christmas film, about on par with a rom com.

RULE #3

PLOTS

Mostly a simple "home for the holidays" family gathering.
Santa may be real:

• Replacement - does run into trouble, doesn't need a replacement.
• Santa is real - convincing people Santa is real is a plot point.
• Crazy Old Man - Not enough people saw Santa, but it applies for those who did.  Walter did fill that role.
• Santa stand-in - An "elf" appeared in most of the film. 
• Anti-Santa - Nope.
• Classic Christmas story - nope.

RULE #4

GENRE

Mostly a fish-out-of-water film, 

• Straight comedy - mostly
• Bitter-sweet family drama-comedy - for story.
• Animated fantasy - Mostly as homage.
• Bible Retellings - no.

RULE #5

EXPECTED EVENTS

• Pulling Santa's beard - Buddy does it to the first Santa.  Many children scream.
• Carolers - Spontaneous singing of carols is a major plot point.  There were also be a Christmas jingle over the closing the credits.

RULE #6

UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES

The following simple things are difficult, often comically so:

• Christmas tree - Much frolics.

RULE #7

RELIGION

Religion isn't mentioned.

RULE #8

ENDING

• Snow:  Some snow, especially when Santa's sleigh takes off.
• Grump-No-More:  Walter and Jovie are fixed, more minor grumpier characters aren't.
• Santa is Real:  Important to the plot.
• The Unexpected Extra Guest:  Jovie spends Christmas with the family.
• Wisdom From an Unexpected Source:  Micheal doesn't spout wisdom, bit he does spread the word that Santa is real.
• The Single Will Find Love: Pretty much the expected source.

RULE #9

HAPPY ENDING

Will have a sickly sweet ending with a "The True Meaning of Christmas" message - especially:

• Family is the most important thing.
• Miracles are real.

RULE #10

 SEQUELS

No sequel and not a sequel.

RESULTS

Rules followed by this film: 1, 3, 4. 7, 8, 9, 10.
Rules partially followed by this film: 2, 5, 6.

Mostly follows the film rules, even though it's not about a man meeting a MPDG.  This shows that it is possible.

~ DUG.

Remember to vote here to help choose the fifth set of rules to be tested.