The Triplets of Belleville (2003) (AKA
Les Triplettes de Belleville, Belleville Rendez-Vous)
I like animation as much as the next
guy. Okay, maybe I don't. But I don't care how much
you are into the genre, any animated film will become
tiresome after five minutes, regardless of how ground-breaking,
edgy, or unique the style is, that is, if it doesn't
have a compelling story, interesting characters or
intelligent humor. Luckily, "The Triplets of Belleville"
has all of these things in addition to the most cool
animation to grace the silver screen since Pixar burst
onto the scene with "Toy Story" in 1995.
Set in France and featuring no subtitles
and very little dialogue, the film is still quite
easy to follow, even for children. In fact, kids should
love this film as much as grown-ups do. The humor
is almost always based in visual jokes, some of them
quite inventive and unique, so they are universal
and easy to understand. The filmmaker, Sylvain Chomet,
dedicates the film to Jacques Tati and even includes
a visual honorarium (via a poster) to that filmmaker's
"Mr. Hulot's Holiday." That isn't to suggest that
this film is a visual homage to Tati. And it definitely
isn't any kind of a rip-off either. Rather, this is
the film that a childhood fan of Tati's films, which
feature very funny and sophisticated cinematic sight
gags, might grow up and make.
The story here is really clever.
Anyone who enjoys Terry Gilliam's films, "Brazil"
in particular, will enjoy what they see here. Set
in France and a place called Belleville, which seems
a lot like NYC, the story revolves around a lovely
and dedicated little club-footed grandmother and her
quiet, wan grandson. These are the two most prominent
characters in a story that will feature a plethora
of interesting personages that are not only unique
in characterizations but in visual appearance as well.
It is this unprecedented look of the film, crafted
not only in characters but in backgrounds, movement
and moments, that makes the film as captivating as
it is cool.
And even though the film has some
French dialogue, again - without subtitles, the majority
of the information is imparted via the visuals and
not the dialogue. Knowing what the Tour De France
is all about is helpful, but even that isn't really
necessary. Also, the music here is often accompanied
by vocals sung in French but the words to the songs
aren't what are important. Music IS important to the
film, but this too is more about the visuals of the
music, the playing and singing of it, as opposed to
what is heard. (Albeit, the music is as charming and
as quaint as the visuals, the characters and the settings).
"The Triplets of Belleville" is
one of the most quaint little films you will ever
see. Reminding one of Tati, Jeunet and Caro, and of
stylistic French works of art, the film is consistently
engaging and unique. More than a film for the whole
family, it's one that will give the whole family much
to talk about joyfully on the ride home from the movie
theater.
Note:
In sparse French and sparse English
with no subtitles.
Chomet is a comic book creator who
has done one short. This is his first feature.
A small bit of live action footage
is included.
The film premiered at Cannes.
Nominated for a Golden Globe for
Best Foreign Film.
Viewed at a sneak preview for press
at the Dobie in Austin in December, 2003.
