A Cat In Paris

A Cat In Paris (Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, 2010)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animation, French, Crime, Grief/Coping

There are many recent films out there with a narrative that explores loss and grieving that coincides with coming of age. This beautifully illustrated animated film falls into the category. I wasn't impressed by the story line, to be honest. Even though film is a fantasy world, I just couldn't believe in the mother or the criminals. It was a little too eccentric (and I usually love eccentric!). But I liked the movement, color, shadows, and overall design.

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Ernest and Celestine

Ernest and Celestine (Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner 2012)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Animation, Children's Story, Feel-good, Animals, Misfits, Prejudice

I was crying at the end of this film. So happy. This beloved children's book has now become (I think) a classic children's film. Such an important moral, beautifully told through a colorful and imaginative animated style. I've often imagined living in a mouse world underground. And what could be better than having a bear as your best friend?

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The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox (Ritesh Batra, 2013)

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Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

India, Romance, Philosophical, Complex Relationships, Uplifting, Coping

"Sometimes the wrong train will lead you to the right station." How true is this concept. A beautiful film with color, poetic dialogue, real-life woes and dreams, and food. I loved this film so very much. If you feel stuck in a rut, if you feel suffocated by capitalistic/money-driven society, if you are lonely, if you are a romantic, if you are imaginative...watch this movie.

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Wadjda

Wadjda (Haifaa Al-Mansour, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Saudi, Feminism/Equality, Coming of Age, Drama

This is a beautiful film about freedom, about growing up and being yourself. As the film went along, I found myself feeling steadily more uncomfortable with what I was viewing--but a good kind of uncomfortable. This film is challenging. It is hard for me, a woman who grew up privileged and encouraged to be true to myself, to see a young person growing up in a culture so restrictive. Cultural difference, religious difference...it is very important to think about.

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