Banquet and Party Room COMO Restaurant 8-548-5005 Book your special occasion now Serving The Community for 39 years ?2812 Woodward at 9 Mile Rd., Ferndale MI (248) 548-5005 • Fax 248-548-1310 wmv.cornospizza.corn ays All You. Private rooms I available for Parties I and Special Occasions I (We can accommodate anywhere from 20 100 guests) - ExchAls Pizza 8 Daily Specials • 2 coupons per table • Expires 1/31/04 • Catering Available Will Ferrell plays "Buddy," who been raised at the North Pole as an elf and Jewish actor James Caan stars as his biological father, Walter, a New York City businessman: The parent-child theme, as well as the holiday connection, drew director Favreau when he read David Berenbaum's hilarious but poignant script. school, the holiday reinforced his feeling of being "the outsider." "Everywhere there were Christmas Time helped, as did the Jewish tra- lights and Christmas trees, and I'd go dition of naming one's child after a to school and everyone was singing deceased loved one. (Favreau, who. Christmas carols, which were gor- is married to a Jewish doctor, has a geous to hea•," he said. "I would sing, 2-year-old, Max, and a 7-month-old, too, except I'd keep my mouth shut Madeleine.) whenever we got to 'Jesus Christ.'" But his mother's death "had affect- But Asner curtly dismisses those ed my view of Christmas," he said. "I who ask why a Jewish actor is por- began looking for a Christmas movie, traying Santa. "Forget the identifica- to allow me to deal with my issues." tion with Christmas," he said of Elf When Elfcame along, he added, "I "The film inculcates a spirit of did little things to hook me in." togetherness, which is priceless, espe- When Buddy flips through his late cially during these terrible times." mother's yearbook, for example, the Favreau and Berenbaum, too, have camera lingers on Madeleine's pic- fielded the "Why is a nice Jewish boy ture. Favreau — who's written a making a Christmas movie" question: Chasidic gunfighter movie as well — "Relatives ask, 'So, when's the also reworked the story to make it "a little more tender" and an homage • Chanukah film coming out,"' said Berenbaum, who did write and direct to New York City after Sept. 11. an Internet Jewish parody of the Yet he drew on the same cinematic Budweiser Whassup ads, Shalom.' inspirations that influenced "And I'll say, 'Well, you know, Berenbaum: Buddy's money-obsessed Chanukah doesn't have the same cin- father is a kind of modern-day ematic tradition as Christmas.' " Scrooge; a lavishly decorated depart- Although Elf revolves around the ment store references Miracle on Yuletide season, Favreau — who 34th Street and the quaint Elf village keeps a Jewish home — feels it has draws on the animated TV special Jewish values. "The holiday captures Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. what is best in Judaism," he said. To play the irascible but warm- "It's about selflessness, charity and hearted Santa, Favreau cast gruff TV the community coming together." icon Edward Asner (Lou Grant), who did not grow up celebrating Christmas. "That was what the 'Other people' did," the 74-year-old-actor said in Elf is currently playing in area an interview. For Asner, who was theaters. one of few Jews in his Kansas City CHRISTMAS FILM from page 68 )3 MID-EASTERN CHALDEAN AMERICAN CUISINE RESTAURANT LUNCH BUFFET in WEST BLOOMFIELD IS BACK • MONDAY-FRIDAY FOR $795 Not good with any other offer. LUNCH & DINNER BUFFET MON-FRI 248-559-9099 12/26 2003 70 27060 EVERGREEN • Lathrup Village at 696 $2.00 off All you can eat Lunch Buffet Not good with any other offer Monday - Friday 11 am - 3pm Regular $8.95 per person expires 1/31/04 ❑