Arrugas

I'll cut right to the chase—Paco Roca's story "Wrinkles" is exceptionally well done but also extremely difficult to watch. Some of this might be because I am soon approaching my 50th birthday, though I would think anyone watching the film would feel a great sense of dread about old age, dementia and stagnation—as they are the themes of this depressing story.

Wrinkles is an animated film from Spain and although I always prefer subtitled films, cartoons can usually be dubbed without a serious problem for the viewer and this is definitely true of this film. Plus, in a nice nod to the original cast, when the English language version ended, they listed not only the English language voice actors but the original Spanish ones as well.

The movie follows the lives of Emilio (Martin Sheen) and Miguel (George Coe)—two men who have been forced to move into a retirement home. Much of the film centers on Emilio, as he moves from living with his son to the nursing home. The transition isn't easy, as Emilio is losing his independence and the staff at the place treat the residents in a rather patronizing manner. Miguel, a long-time resident, helps Emilio to get used to the place. Sadly, you soon realize that Emilio is slowly losing his mind to Alzheimer's and Miguel is determined to fight to stay alert and mentally sound. How the two become friends and deal with this institutional life is the focus of the film and the final portion shows how Miguel adapts to the loss of his friend…or at least the man who his friend used to be.

The least satisfying thing about "Wrinkles" is the animation. It isn't bad—just don't expect Disney or Miyazaki! In many ways, the artwork looks a lot like the great TV series "The Critic". This isn't a serious problem and didn't harm the story—but it certainly isn't the strong point of the film.

As to the strength of the film, it's the writing and dialog. It is an expertly crafted film and it was nice to see an adult animated movie instead of the usual kiddie fare. The film never shies away from the depressing aspects of institutional living and the characters seemed very real. This makes for a very good film but also for a super- depressing one. Because you care for the characters, it hurts to see them slip away…and it reminds you that it will most likely happen to you as well. Because of this, while I appreciated the film it is clearly a difficult film for many to watch. Such lines as 'you you're your whole…and THIS is how it ends…" clearly aren't examples of a feel-good movie! The seriously depressed should also avoid it as I just can only imagine watching the film would make this worse.

"...a cast of eccentric characters who rebel against authority in this wonderfully animated and poignant comedy about life in an old folks home."

A very well done movie, but what a deceptive description. It is truly heartbreaking... you've been warned.

A Spanish animated drama telling the story of Emilio, a retired bank manager who is developing early signs of Alzheimer. His son makes the difficult decision to put him in a care home, much to his father's disappointment. There, he slowly strikes up a friendship with his roommate Miguel who has all his marbles and spends his time making money out of his confused neighbours. The two find ways of relieving the boredom of the home but Emilio is seemingly fighting a losing battle as his memory begins to fade.

I thought this was an interesting little drama with a balanced mix of pathos and humour. For someone who works with older people, often in a care capacity, much of this rang true with me, particularly the boredom and loneliness that many experience when they move into a home. It never threatens to be anything truly groundbreaking and the animation is pretty basic but nonetheless it is a worthy film with some lovely scenes and will strike a chord with anyone who has had to deal with this terrible disease.

Basically it's a movie about the rather harsh and brisk final period of lucidity for a man (Antonio) sent into an elder care home after being a burden to his family for a long time.

Although there's really not much light at the end of the tunnel, and although the subject matter is not very pleasant, it somehow manages to be a comedy, and not a black comedy. Rather it has its pleasant comedic and happy moments, much like reflections of the elderly residents of this home. Things go from bad to worse, but that doesn't mean there weren't a few laughs and rays of joy along the way.

Much of the comedy comes from Miguel, an Argentine who serves as a sort of older and less mobile version of McMurphy from Cuckoo's nest. He's tricky and vulgar, like some sort of street-smart comedic relief. He dreams of greater things and talks a big game; with revolutionary zeal he utters truths about the system and how sordid it is. Yet at the end of the day he's still frail and stiff and can't do much at all other than grumble wistfully.

Miguel ends up coming to certain realisations. Antonio does not.

The characters are compelling and the scenes are effectively sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes touching. It's a film that holds your attention from beginning to end, effectively considers a social problem, and comes to the sober conclusion that all that one can do is come to terms with it.

Perhaps the only weaknesses are that sometimes the audio is not well done, with the characters talking over each other and Miguel's transformation is a little rushed. Still, one of the heavy hitters among animated movies.

Probably my favourite acknowledgements page of any book or movie, too: "For the elders of today and the elders of tomorrow."

Honourable Mentions: The Thing (1982): "why don't we just sit here for a while and see what happens?" No two ways about it, and it's really the same for everyone - at some point the only thing that one will be able to do is to accept that the end has arrived.

A beautifully told and scenically depicted tale of friendship, love, cynicism, disappointment and hope in the twilight years. It's a pleasant departure from the Disney-Pixar brand of animated movies, and hits the right notes with realistic problems, real-life humor and eccentric characters.

If you rate a good movie as one which can make you feel a range of emotions, from sympathy, happiness, sadness, to thrill of adventure, hope and that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you see a P&G ad, this movie is sure to delight and stay with you for a reasonably long time.

It does get slow in bits. You go through topsy turvy emotions with Emilio and Miguel's friendship and quirkiness along the way. There's Antonia and other characters to lend life to the gloominess of a general old age home. But what you can never guess, is the heart warming end to this beautifully crafted movie.

Worth a watch. Go see it now.