Ah, L'Amour

Before 'Genre', before 'Billy's Balloon' and before 'Rejected' animator Don Hertzfeldt delivered his first twisted and disturbing animated short film. 'Ah, L'Amour' tells the story of a guy who keeps getting rejected by the girls he wants to ask out. Actually, they reject him even before he asks them out. The girls reject him not with words alone, they literally cut him to pieces.

As disturbing as the shorts I mentioned above, it is also as funny from time to time. I must admit there are less laughs than in the later work, but to start with a short like this is pretty good. If you can appreciate the disturbing kind of humor this is definitely an animation you want to see.

Though not on the level of insane brilliancy as with Don Hertzfeldt's most recent (within the last several year), Ah L'Amour displays the beginning of the Hertzfeldt logic, only this time in a somewhat more innocent form. In several vignettes we see the act of rejection from women in its most base forms, no matter what is asked there is a violent, murderous reaction with "I just want my space", or "No means no you bastard" preceding it. Hertzfeldt also crumples up the paper and starts all over again with each new try, and its sort of heartfelt in its most utterly crude way. It's like a dash of hopelessness given the finest touch, however not yet totally honed to a point, of dark whimsy. The absurdity of Hertzfeldt is there too, though as a "bitter film" by the director it actually ends much more on that note than with everything else. Oh, and a special thanks to a friend- caffeine!

I had rarely laughed so hard at animated violence until I watched Don Hertzfeld's work, and Ah, L'Amour is no exception. If you have ever known anyone who claims a potential significant other ripped out their heart and performed any of a series of mutilations upon it, you will be delighted to watch as these are acted out literally rather than figuratively. This brief yet cynical look at getting the time of day (literally) from a female rings especially true with most college-age males. The final interaction of the main character with a female is perhaps the most bitter comment on the subject ever dared to be stated explicitly. A few women may be offended at this cynical view, but I think most of us can relate and appreciate this bluntly honest view of the way some play the game of love.

"Ah, l'amour" is the ultimate animated slice-of-life comedy of an average male desperately seeking love from the opposite sex. Along his two minute quest he is tortured, maimed, and killed several times, simply for trying to be friendly-- the most unnervingly truthful metaphors of rejection that I have ever witnessed. While this creative, minimalist animation is laugh-out-loud funny, it is also painfully accurate. Personally, I couldn't help but to empathize with the little guy.

Don Hertzfeldts first real cartoon is a masterpiece of violence, cynicism and bitterness. The simple stick figure style contrasts beautifully with the blood and gore on-screen, and in combination with the silly little tune in the background you can't help but to laugh.

It's a good thing it doesn't last any longer. 2 minutes of this is tiring enough for my laugh-muscles. Animation has really been this funny, and I wonder if it'll ever be again. Anyone who saw this back when it was "released" must have seen more great things were on it's way from Don.

Don't miss this little gem. If you ever see the name Don Hertzfeldt, check it out no matter what. Surreal entertainment is guaranteed.