Jessie and the Elf Boy

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Jessie and the Elf Boy
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jessie and the Elf Boy is a crowdfunded Scottish fantasy film about a friendship between a forest elf and a teenage girl, and has some slapstick action and threat that makes it only suitable for tweens and up. Hair stylist Jessie (Julia Brown) becomes world famous for the out-there hairstyles she gives customers at the salon she works at. However, it's actually the work of invisible elf Ghillie Dhu (Huck Whittle), although Jessie is willing to take the credit. The movie also focuses on Jessie's mean and distant mother (Gail Watson) learning the error of her ways. A short scene with a sexually aggressive man forcing Jessie to kiss him and refusing to leave her flat after a date feels only suitable for an older audience. This aside, it's a fun movie with a good message. There is light violence and threat, such as when the elf prods a man with a fork and when burglars enter a home. Expect a little rude humor, including jokes around burping. Characters have glasses of wine on their table during a date, and a man makes reference to the waiter "being on something" and later suggests that there was something in his own drink, after feeling unwell.
Community Reviews
Brilliant family movie!
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What's the Story?
In JESSIE AND THE ELF BOY, forest elf Ghillie Dhu (Huck Whittle) is reunited with Jessie, a girl he befriended years before. With Jessie (Julia Brown) now working as a trainee in a hair salon, she soon becomes celebrated for creating outrageous hairstyles. But it's actually the invisible Ghillie Dhu who is styling the hair. As Jessie's colleague gets increasingly suspicious of her newfound talent, will the truth be revealed?
Is It Any Good?
With its friendly forest fantasy feel, this Scotland-set adventure starts as a delightful child's-view trip of discovery. However, Jessie and the Elf Boy soon moves into YA territory. The action jumps from an innocent childhood friendship between the young Jessie and an invisible forest elf to Jessie working as a trainee hair stylist who is hated by her boss, ignored by her mother, and being pressured romantically by a pop star.
This change in gear just about works. The relationship between Jessie and the puckish Ghillie Dhu, and the pair's fun adventures, both remain light and enjoyable. That's largely down to the cast, who give their all and enlarge this relatively small production that's set in just a handful of locations. Brown as Jessie is believably put-upon and ambitious, while Gail Watson is great as Jessie's mother, the two having a complex and often difficult relationship that becomes resolved as the movie plays out. The story keeps a good pace, throws interesting curveballs, and feels fresh with its Scottish setting and dedicated cast bringing it to life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Jessie and the Elf Boy demonstrate perseverance, teamwork, and humility. Why are these important character strengths?
Discuss whether Jessie was right to take the credit for Ghillie Dhu's work. Is there ever a right time to be dishonest?
How was Tyler's behavior after his date with Jessie problematic? How should he have behaved?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 1, 2022
- Cast: Julia Brown, Gail Watson, Huck Whittle
- Director: Philip Todd
- Studio: Entertainment Squad
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Humility, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 83 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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