Starting in the countryside of Europe, we meet a boy and his grandmother. The grandmother tries, at first unsuccessfully, to find something that can make the boy happy. She plays the piano for him. She buys him a puppy, an electric train set. None of these works. Finally, while cleaning his room, she finds his secret passion under his mattress. No, not that. It is cycling. She buys him a bicycle, and he excitedly pedals it around the yard. Happy at last.
Fast forward. The boy is a young adult, and a competitive cyclist. During a race, he is abducted by the Mafia, and he's taken across the sea to...
Blah blah blah. Describing the plot of this film does injustice to what makes it special. Consider the part of the movie I've just mentioned. The grandmother and the dog track the boy to a large ship pulling out of port. To pursue, they rent a paddleboat. The grandmother and the dog chase the boy across the ocean in a scene that manages to be ridiculous while keeping a straight face, and also beautiful at the same time.
It's probably about time that I mentioned that this movie is animated. It is animated not in the clean, children's fare style of Disney or Don Bluth, but in the grittier, dingier style of Ralph Bakshi.
Why haven't you seen it?
So. Many. Reasons.
Animated films always have an uphill battle. I say "animated film", but you likely hear "cartoon". You shouldn't.
It was produced by a French-Canadian named Sylvain Chomet. Yes, that's right, this movie manages to be both French AND Canadian.
Oh, and while it might be a stretch to call it a silent film, as there is music and sound effects, there is no dialogue.
Why should you see it?
Again, I can only say: So. Many. Reasons.
This movie has so many great things to enjoy. The animation and design of the characters, the places, and the objects is inspired. Every character is beautifully realized and believable. Oh, and did I mention the Academy-Award nominated music?
In case you are wondering, yes, that music was actually created using newspapers, a refrigerator, a vacuum, and a tire wheel. FYI.
(Unrelated note: imagine my delight when three of my favorite things collided: this song, So You Think You Can Dance, and Wade Robson.)
(Now back to the movie.)
Keeping in the spirit of the Movie Night Movie Project, Les Triplets De Belleville runs 78 minutes, and grossed just over $7 million dollars at the box office.
