Ruben Brandt: O Colecionador

It's 2012 Paris. Cat burglar Mimi steals Cleopatra's fan. The original target is the Regent Diamond but she gets distracted by the fan. Her employer is not happy. She contacts famed art therapist Ruben Brandt who is treating a group of troubled criminals. She recruits the group to steal with her. Meanwhile, Ruben is being haunted by art-based nightmares. He asks Mimi to steal the 13 art works that are haunting him.

The animation style is modern art. I'm sure more sophisticated eyes would recognize the style and name the influences. The art works being shown are beyond my education. It doesn't diminish my admiration. It's compelling. I do wish the story has more energy to it. I would have concentrated on one art work and make this more a caper movie. The different skills of the group suggest that is in play but it doesn't make it a priority. I really like the style and I would like more from the story.

Ruben Brandt, collector has many levels of depth. As I watched the first few shots of the movie (introduced with a quote by one of my fav authors - Karinthy Frigyes), I was sure that it is going to be visually spectacular. It was - the way it is animated, the unique style of graphics and the genius way of incorporating and "repainting" paintings from the real world was quite eye-catching and immersive. Then, the plot starts. The movie references other classicals, like Bond-movies with the robbery-plot and action scenes, psychological thrillers with hallucinations and surreal events, and a big pile of ART, any way imaginable, in every shot of the movie. Thanks to these combinations, we end up with a totally unusual plot worth to experience. As the plot evolves, many things get uncovered. Psychological, emotional issues and conditions start to emerge as we dig deeper in Ruben's head. The main anagnorisis - when Ruben discovers what makes him hallucinate - was absolutely unexpected and a brilliant point of plot. Finally, the ending raises a lot of questions, for it leaves the plot kind of open with a twist. Personally, I would have liked it to be a bit more specific, a bit more self-exlpanatory. At least it gives another reason to re-watch this piece.

p.s. I am really glad, because it is the product of my country, Hungary. We were highly in the need of (great) movies like this, and I am geniunely proud of the crew, thank you!

It is hard to say anything negative about this animation movie. It is a visual orgy with unique and surprising ideas, dreamy visions, and fast paced actions. The story grabs you from the very beginning, and does not let you go until it gradually unveils by the end. Details are precisely designed and highly elaborated, and music selection will make you fall into the special universe of the movie - forgetting about your everyday environment. More like this, please.

Nothing can really do justice within the normal vocabulary to describe this in any constructive way. Just watch it and marvel at what is possible within animation, and how a story can be told without a single moment wasted in dullness. There is really no beginning, no ending and no middle, the structure is left completely open and without any real story telling, just moments unfolding for a period in time and then closing credits when they should not really be. This can be watched again and again, and always something else appears as if put there , when last time it was hidden. Some language here and there, but not too offensive. I think that aside, even a child could possibly be captured by the weirdness of every scene and complete randomness of the persons features. Go watch it and come back and tell us all what you think.....

This is simply good to see. Pleasant to watch, good to follow the story. The difference between a typical family movie and this one, is like the difference between only doing cardio training on the treadmill, or doing a crossfit training, which makes your whole body move. However it is not an overcomplicated thriller, you can be immersed in it (in the references and in the eye-catching visual world) as much as you like. However it is a spectacular and new, unique visual experience, it is also familiar and pleasant. I am very glad that I have seen this movie. Actually, it would have been a huge mistake to miss it. I would like to see it again tomorrow.