Film Summary DI (The Illusionist)

I tell you if there's ever a good way to lift ones Spirits after watching two abysmal films; It's to find yourself a Sylvain Chomet inspired story that's been transferred into the wonderful artistic movement of film. In this case 'The Illusionist'.

The story of a very sad man who seems to be getting pushed out by overly turbulente pop rock idols of the like. The ones in particular seem to be some hyperbole glorified version of 'The Beatles' mixed in with partial remanence of Queen and some other godforsaken popular band I could never be bothered to learn.
He goes from place to place hoping to find work but as time goes on he's craft becomes less and less viable. Partly due to the progression of Technology.
While on this journey he'll come across a young woman whose captivated by his act and decides to sneak her way out of the small village she lives in to come and live with the guy.
Who I must say take some incredibly well that this random girl just shoved her way into his life with the expectation that he should pay for her boating ticket and even her lodging.
It's supposed to be one of those cute stories where two kind of down-on-their-luck people spend time with each other cheering one another up with friendly banter and a sense of adventures. The whole thing has a very flattering fairytale aspects to it.

This is one of those wonderfully animated films that relies purely on the spectacle as opposed to the vocal. Almost all of the story is told via the power of body movement and the perception of interaction.
With some of the most beautifully drawing environments you could find in an animated film. It's memorable, colourful, Bleak and inspiring simultaneously.
Without overstaying its welcome.
I will say it does feel every minute of its 1 hour and 19 minute long run time but in a rare instance it becomes something of an advantage as you get to soak in the veneer of this wonderfully creative world.
I found myself deeply enthralled with every character. Even the most minor ones, you could get a sense of understanding and appreciation just by their actions and kooky introductions. Rather it be the world's saddest clown or a ventriloquist man whose life Falls away in the shambles.

I will say there's something incredibly Bleak and depressing about the idea that
the happiness of one of the major characters seems to be fuelled by nothing more than the acquirer of luxury goods.
It has this hollowness to it as you realise that this person's life pretty much as nothing but buying more and more useless tat.
Though they do have the occasional moment of remorse and authenticity as they cook food for those poor sods who have none to eat.
Also just providing them with basic conversation and interaction. Something that it seems these people black in their day-to-day life.

Despite my love of the animation style I will say there were some odd uses of 3D rendering which I thought could have either been better integrated or possibly skipped over altogether. There's only two or three major moments of it but it really sticks out when you look at the contrast between computer-generated graphics and very traditionally drawn animation. I suppose that's just the problem will have to deal with with 21st century cartoons.

The sound editing and overall production value is incredibly High. You may not notice it if you're listening on a conventional 2 or 3 speaker system. But if you have fine quality headphones or a nice surround sound system. You'll be able to hear the film as if the entire movie is happening around you. There were honest to God scenes where I wanted to take my headphones off because I thought somebody in the Next Room over was talking.
But it was just the characters in the film communicating with one another in an almost hushed whisper.
As most of the films dialogue is incredibly muted and play down. So that you could get an extra sense of story if you could hear anything but wouldn't lose out on the overall premise otherwise.

All in all this is a spectacularly done animated film. I loved every moment of it. I loved the environment, the characters and the overall theme. Which by the way you made me feel really depressed while watching it.
It's that kind of clenching sadness that you get with the progression of time and that weird feeling that this little moment of Life can never be repeat it again. It's sad but it is strangely uplifting way.

I didn't like this movie as much as 'The Triplets of Belleville' however I do respect it a little more. A lot of Chomet other films react a lot more on over-the-top character designs and ridiculous set pieces. Rather that be almost inhuman characters or strange surreal events like a half pigeon man running around being chased by a wind-up toy granny.
This film doesn't go for any of that firmly keeps its foot in the more realistic depiction of everyday life.