Borrowed Time

Borrowed Time (2015)

**** (out of 4)

A worn-down Sheriff returns to the scene of an event that helped shape who he became as a man.

That's pretty much the only plot you need to know about this wonderful animated movie, which picked up an Oscar-nomination for Best Animation Short. If you're a fan of Westerns or of animation then you'll certainly want to check out this seven-minute picture because it's certainly something special. The animation is excellent as you'd expect but where the film really succeeds is with its story. I'm not going to ruin what happens but it's an excellent drama and really packs an emotional punch. It's rare that I feel this connected to an animation piece but it certainly ranks right up there with the best of Pixar or Disney.

A sheriff is on he brink of suicide. It is the old West and he recalls a horrible accident and his part in the sad ending. We see in flashback the events surrounding the accident and the intense guilt felt by the protagonist. This is sad and moving for such a short film. We are left on the edges of our seats as the decision is made.

An aging sheriff haunted by his youth decides to take drastic measures. With every pace, every step forward memories of yore bring back the joys and pains. As he gets to the precipice a swift turn of events leads to terror and a revelation that changes his life forever. Well animated and moving as well as touching this nugget of a short packs enough mental and emotional wallop to cover a full-length film. A must see.

The short movie takes you to beginning and end of one's life story forth and back. What would happen if you could have done otherwise, could you forgive yourself today? The intriguing start, ends with dejection leaving the main character in utter desolation. Pixar enters into an untouched arena with this, which could be termed as "dark". Borrowed Time tells a short tale about Relationship, past deed, power to undo, forgiveness, memories, it combines all of them and present it to you. Leaving the viewer to decide whether what happened was correct, incorrect or uncontrollable. It also reminds of the goodness some people leave behind. This one definitely is worth your time.

During my free time of scrolling through tons of tedious shared Facebook posts, I saw several companies share out their thoughts about this short film. They said it was made by 2 Pixar animators and has some very adult themes in it. I'm a fan of short films, deep themes and Pixar, so I checked it out on Vimeo.

I was very glad I did.

The story is about a cowboy haunted by his past. Saying anything more would give the entire plot away.

The animation, as usual from Pixar, is flat-out gorgeous, and the music fits very well with the tone. But most impressive of all is its ambition. This is Pixar(ish) at its darkest, and the thoughts, feelings, images and delivery is gritty and portrays a realistic sense of gloom. The ending isn't happy, and nothing was really resolved, but was beautifully presented and emotionally wrenching, and will leave you thinking deeply. This is a beautiful story of grief, the past, our will to live, and forgiveness.

Well worth watching!

9/10