Flick Picks for Publishing & Printing Professionals: FP4 pick of the week

Friday, December 7, 2007

FP4 entry 20071207

Award Winning Animation-FP4 pick of the week

PICK: “The Triplets of Belleville” (2003) Director: Sylvain Chomet

Info & Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/230981

OR
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Triplets_of_Belleville/60032394?strkid=584196818_1_0

ENTRY: This week's pick is off on another detached tangent. It is an award winning animated feature length film. It won major awards from Boston, Copenhagen, France, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. If you watch the film, you will quickly understand why the film received so much attention.

SYNOPSIS: The story is about a young boy (and his curious dog) who becomes very passionate about his bicycle riding. His grandmother encourages this behavior as he grows older. His goal is to race in the big one... the Tour de' France. His dreams are sidetracked in a peculiar way (I won't reveal too much so not to ruin the story for you). The plot has twists and turns that only add to the entertainment of the film.

Scope: If you enjoy traditional animation films, give this flick a try. You also might like the film if you are a highly competitive athlete because the story is about intense training towards a physical goal (through a satirical bird's eye view). The animation is entertaining and uncomplicated... it is not a high tech C.G.I. film and shouldn't be placed in the same category as "spirited away." So don't have high expectations in that area... just good old fashion animation. The characters, including the boy's dog, are developed in an effective and comical way. The grandmother, the triplets, the mafia boss and others are entertaining in their own little world of character introduction and development. Is it a comedy? Yes, it will offer some laughs but there is almost a dark comedy feel to the story line. Don't over-analyzed the plot or you may ruin it for yourself by doing so. It's kinda of like watching an episode of Seinfeld, the plot is unpredictable which is part of it's appeal. The film's story line is meant to be taken lightly just as an animated story should be. I would say that the movie is safe for most older children. There is one scene in the beginning with dancing girls that you may want to sensor out for the little tykes. Otherwise, it is fairly clean. It is over eighty minutes which may be longer than most animated features so be prepared for restlessness if young children are viewing it and have a short attention span (or some adults too!)