ERNEST & CELESTINE (San Francisco International Film Festival, San Francisco, California USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ernest & Celestine easily becomes one of the cutest, sweetest, and most innocent animated films of 2014. It’s a staple story that relies on an unlikely friendship that develops between a mouse and a bear and then blossoms into a permanent and lasting lifelong love. A refreshing combatant to ideas that such friendships are unsustainable, the storyline is well voiced by Forest Whitaker as Ernest, the bear, and Mackenzie Foy as Celestine, the mouse. The story’s kindly morality makes it a perfect fit for the adult and child seeking ‘together’ entertainment with pleasant surprises and a comfortable below-the-limit action plan that is ‘not too hot and not too cold.’ 

 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A mouse, Celestine, independently decides, against popular assumptions, to believe that bears, even hungry bears, do not necessarily eat mice. She verifies her unproven theory after meeting Ernest, a poor, hungry, panhandling bear. Resourceful Celestine develops a plan for Ernest to get food; but, the police catch Ernest and the show begins.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Directors Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner. Thank you to Producers Eric Beckman, David Jesteadt, and Michael Sinterniklaas for making the film possible. Thank you to Music Composer Vincent Courtois. Thank you to Daniel Pennac for an outstandingly good screenplay and to Gabrielle Vincent for her excellent children’s book series. Additional cast/characters include: The Grey One (voice of Lauren Bacall), Le Grise (voice of Anne-Marie Loop), Rat Judge (voice of Paul Giamatti), Head Dentist (William H. Macy), Lucienne (voice of Megan Mullally), and George (voice of Nick Offerman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The simple animation catches the eye. The story makes a sweet child/adult share.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers