Posted by Larry Gleeson

Well, it’s that time of year to discover your inner self. Modern-day traditional Christmas films are streaming. I took the bait with Elf, starring Will Farrell, the late James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel. Farrel portrays Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole with elves. Much like older children discovering the real meaning of Christmas, Buddy has discovered his father, portrayed by Caan. lives in New York and needs some Christmas spirit.

What transpires is magical. At its bare-bones, Elf is a re-telling of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, with Buddy, the over-sized Elf, saving the day. While seeing Farrell’s performance would be enough in of itself, the supporting cast of Caan, Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, and scene-stealer Faizon Love, ro0und out this festive film with holiday joy abundantly.

Streaming on MAX, TBS, and TNT and with a runtime of one-hour and thirty-seven minutes and with never a dull moment, Elf, is warmly recommended.