Review of Ernest & Celestine (2012) by Pere V — 21 Jun 2013

ERNEST AND CELESTINE REVIEW.

I recently watched an animated foreign film called Ernest and Celestine, a movie based on a French book series that is apparently not available in the U.S. currently. I really enjoyed this movie. This movie reminds me why I love animation in the first place. The main two characters play off each other wonderfully; they are truly the highlight of the film. The movie's plot is wonderfully handled, as it is taking a clichéd framework and manipulating it into an interesting and fresh social commentary.

Again, this film is wonderfully acted, even though there were subtitles. The performances were so good that even without subtitles, people who don't speak French can fully understand where the characters are coming from. The animation in the movie, especially the backgrounds are very creative and funny.

One positive is ultimately the film's structure and story. Although the movie does have the cliché were the two groups are prejudice against each other cliché. The film however does something very creative and subtle with the framework.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

Ernest is in trouble with the law because of previous instances of property damage and Celestine is in trouble because of her affiliation with Ernest. Ernest gets caught by the mice police; and Celestine gets caught by the bear police. Both are having their trials at the same time at separate courts but one court is below the other court. Without giving away the ending, the same exact actions occur in both trials. The ending creates a subtle commentary on how the two prejudiced societies can claim that they are different, but they are actually the same.

Overall, This film is great. I cannot think one negative thing about it. The characters and the actor's performances are great, the animation is creative and beautiful, and they were able to turn an ancient cliché (that tends to annoy people) and make it work by using it as a framework for an extremely well executed social commentary. I am so glad to know that this movie is getting a major release in October, because I would happily see it again.

Grade: Classic.

Letter Grade: A.

Numerical Grade: 10.

Overall Opinion: Overall, this film is great. The acting, characters, animation and themes/commentary are all wonderfully handled. The interactions between Ernest and Celestine are truly the highlights of the film. This October, if this movie is playing somewhere nearby, SEE IT.