ELF (PG) presented in 35mm

Elf - Revival House Perth Event Bio

Spread Christmas cheer with Jon Favreau's 2003 comedy that transformed Will Ferrell into a holiday icon and proved that wholehearted sincerity could triumph over cynicism. This is the rare modern Christmas film that's already become a timeless classic—genuinely funny, surprisingly sweet, and bursting with infectious joy.

Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who travels to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan)—a cynical publishing executive on Santa's naughty list. What follows is fish-out-of-water comedy gold as Buddy navigates Manhattan with childlike wonder, decorating department stores, eating spaghetti with maple syrup, and believing everyone is fundamentally good despite overwhelming evidence otherwise.

Ferrell gives one of his most committed performances, playing Buddy with zero irony or winking—he's genuinely innocent, genuinely kind, and genuinely six-foot-three in yellow tights and a green costume. Zooey Deschanel charms as Jovie, the department store worker won over by Buddy's enthusiasm, while Caan grounds the film as the father learning to embrace Christmas spirit and family.

Favreau directs with love for classic holiday specials—the North Pole scenes evoke Rankin/Bass stop-motion charm, while New York becomes a landscape of possibility rather than cynicism. The film's message about belief and spreading joy never feels forced because Buddy embodies it so completely. Plus, the escalator scene alone is worth the price of admission.

The modern Christmas classic that made "smiling's my favorite" a lifestyle.

Present in authentic 35mm film for the true cinematic experience!

When: Sunday, December 21st at 4:50 PM
Where: Revival House Perth
Rating: PG - Mild crude humor

Ferrell's most joyful performance—a Christmas comedy with so much heart it's impossible not to smile.