This article contains discussion of suicide.
One scene inElfis much darker after realizing it’s a homage to a great Christmas classic. Only by rewatching the film can viewers begin to uncover its hidden meanings, and Jon Favreau’s movie has plenty. Doubtlessly one of thebest Christmas movies of all time, the milestone comedyElfborrows from many before it and continues inspiring fascination 21 years after its release. Fans might want towatchElfonlinethis holiday season and catch easy-to-miss details that transform the viewing experience entirely.
It is no secret thatElfreferences many classic Christmas movies. However, what these references mean is not discussed enough. Although sometimes a homage merely wants to pay respect to a classic’s contributions and impact on the genre, in some cases, it is used to convey a hidden and subtle message. For instance,Elf’s tribute toIt’s a Wonderful Lifeis a minor moment — ensuring its dark meaning can only be picked up on by adults familiar with the classic narrative— but reveals the movie’s dark undertones.
Buddy Going To The Bridge Before Elf’s Ending Is An Homage To It’s A Wonderful Life
A scene inElfmimics one fromIt’s a Wonderful Life, where a failed businessman,George Bailey, goes to a bridge with the plan to kill himselfbefore being stopped by Clarence, his guardian angel. The sequence inIt’s a Wonderful Lifeis longer, as the character’s thoughts of suicide are made explicit. It marks George’s most worst moment and changes the course of the narrative completely — opening the way for him to experience what life would be like if he had never been born.
Why Elf 2 Never Happened
A sequel to the holiday classic Elf has never been approved. Issues between Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau and a bad script are partly to blame.
InElf, Buddy visits a bridge after his father blows up at him for ruining a business deal. Feeling alone and unwanted, the character stares vacantly at the water. Though it is unsettling to see Buddy lose his perkiness, the scene is not nearly the same as the one inIt’s a Wonderful Life. Still, it is a turning point inElf. For a few seconds,Buddy’s journey acquires a sadder tone. Favreau cuts before it has any big effect, as Santa’s sleigh crashing refills Buddy with purpose, followed by some ofElf’s best and happiest quotes.
Elf’s Bridge Scene Could Belong To A Confirmed Alternate Version Of The Script
Actor Will Ferrell as Buddy in Elf.
One of theharsh realities of rewatchingElfis that Buddy wants to find a place where he belongs because he has such a bad time blending in at the North Pole. As his birth father tells him to get out of his life, Buddy runs away. Demoralized, he walks to a bridge in NYC, where he laments he does not belong anywhere in the world. Though Favreau quickly glides past it,the homage toIt’s a Wonderful Lifesuggests a terrible reality for Will Ferrell’s characterthat perhaps was more evident in a previous version of David Berenbaum’s script.
While the movie offers plenty of heartwarming and lighthearted moments, some subtleties hint at its profound thematic core, such as its allusion to It’s a Wonderful Life.
Notably, one ofElf’s hidden behind-the-scenes detailsis that the initial script was much darker, and director Favreau rewrote it into a PG movie that children could enjoy. Whilethe movie offers plenty of heartwarming and lighthearted moments, some subtleties hint at its profound thematic core, such as its allusion toIt’s a Wonderful Life. Favreau had to minimize its impact, but the fact that he kept it enriches Buddy’s character development tremendously. Buddy goes from possessing a child-like hope to life-ending despair, speaking to howElf’s surprisingly real message mixed perfectly with its joyous camp.
Elf
Cast
Elf follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole. As an adult, he journeys to Manhattan to find his biological father, a work-driven businessman. The film explores Buddy’s comedic attempts to navigate human society and his quest to bring holiday spirit to his family.
