Le chat du rabbin

Winner of this year's Cesar Awards for Best Animated Film, The Rabbi's Cat directed by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux is based on a comic series by Sfar, which made the narrative seem a little bit too choppy as it sprawls from a focused introduction, to something of a wandering road trip for the second half of the film that didn't seem to have a point other than to drag it out beyond its welcome. Sure it had enough comedy and quirkiness thanks to the titular cat, but alas repetition doesn't serve it well when issues and comical moments get recycled.

The animation of course is gorgeous to look at given that it's something different from the usual Hollywood studio products, and hand drawn rather than something polished off a computer, or dabbling with the 3D gimmick (though I read elsewhere that there was a 3D version overseas, which is strange given the lack of usual 3D styled visuals). The cat itself requires a little getting used to for the way it's designed and drawn, looking quite unlike any cat you've seen, with its elongated facial features and an extremely long tail.

We follow the adventures of the titular cat, who got his speaking voice (by Francois Morel) thanks to an envy and fatal attack which we don't really get to see, against the parrot of his mistress Zlabya (Hafsia Herzi), the voluptuous daughter of the rabbi Sfar (Maurice Benichou), an easy going religious man. He speaks, to the surprise of his owners, and soon declares that he wants to be a Jew, and to complete the bar mitzvah, in order to get Sfar's approval to remain by Zlabya's side (he has the hots for her you see), instead of being chased away as a monstrosity with his new found voice, akin to being the work of the devil.

Much of the narrative for the first half of the film could be seen as an open discussion between religions such as Judaism, Islam and Christianity, set in 1920s Algeria where there's a clash of cultures with the French, as well as the highlighted differences between the various religions, factions and groups that co-existed at the time. One would need to be sensitive of Algeria in that era in order to milk the most of out this picture, given the lack of background focus as it jumps directly into discussions assuming one would be knowledgeable of the issues of the time.

But even if you're not, then the second half's road trip is probably where you can still follow, where a whole host of characters got introduced, such as an Arabic Sheik of the desert (Mathieu Amalric) with whom the rabbi, his cat and their entourage got into a tangle with, a Russian painter and an African girl that they pick up, and a surprisingly little episode involving a famous Belgian reporter and his dog. It's all downhill from there in their quest to find utopia, as the narrative meanders in too episodic a fashion without an end in sight, leaving things quite open ended in its finale perhaps promising of more adventures to come, but is probably a cliffhanger just like chapters in the comic books.

One expects to enjoy this based on its reputation and the awards it received, but still I'm so very pleased with just how good it is. One part comedy and one part adventure, the writing is very sharp as it plays lightly and only in a heartfelt, good-natured way with various real-life notions. While broadly encouraging fraternity and honoring religion (and Judaism particularly), 'The rabbi's cat' talks of the differences and commonalities between faiths, and likewise between people; dismisses zealotry of any nature; acknowledges the tendency in established belief systems toward racism, misogyny, and otherwise prejudice, and pokes at religious belief versus scientific truth; recognizes antisemitism as a sad reality; and more. And still all this is treated in a way that's fun and thoughtful, in a story that involves a talking cat. Much love to creator, co-writer, co-director, and co-producer Joann Sfar, for this is a very balanced and well-rounded movie, and well worth its ninety minutes.

A few select scene changes give the animators a chance to toy with different styles, but in those and in the predominant method the visuals are rich with detail that's a real treat as a viewer. There's not necessarily anything wholly remarkable about the animation, but it's very well done, and the designs for backgrounds and characters alike are a minor joy in and of themselves. Beyond those airs of light humor and adventure, and the greater underlying intelligence, Sfar and his collaborators are to be commended for an engaging, satisfying viewing experience, with a story that's easy to get invested in whether one is giving their full attention or seeking a more casual watch. The voice cast lend splendid personality to their characters, and as a cat lover I'm especially happy with how the titular feline is portrayed, definitely illustrating that those behind this production are ailurophiles themselves. While music and sound effects take a back seat to the writing, they're well done and flavorful as they add to the entertainment value.

'The rabbi's cat' is no revelation; for all the smart things it has for us to ponder, overall it's on the more frivolous and irreverent side of the medium. By all means, however, it's all that it needs to be, and I had a good time watching. Given a couple instances of violence or situations of a slightly more adult nature I'm not entirely sure that I'd say this is appropriate for all ages, at least not by American standards. Putting that aside, though, I think this is certainly something that anyone could enjoy, and surely take a little something more away from it in addition to the amusement it immediately stands to offer. It may not entirely be something you need to go out of your way to see, but if you have the opportunity to watch 'The rabbi's cat,' this is very well done and worth ninety minutes for one and all.

A delightful animated film from France. From one style to another, it plays so elegantly all the way through. Discussing the topic of religion without sugarcoating it to stereotypical fashion. It is a smart and funny comedy that I hope you enjoy.

For animation buffs, the visuals are superb, so it isn't a surprise that it won some French award for that. The story, however, is another matter. Since I am unfamiliar with the original material, of which the movie is based, I can only speak to the adaptation.

You can read about the plot or the synopsis for the story line. I think the plot does capture "cattish" behavior quite well. The problem for me was the PC world view of the story. Forget 1920. Despite the period piece timing, the story is very much 2120. Everyone gets along or, more to the point, everyone should get along. Christian, Muslim, Jew, believer and atheist, black and white--you name it, it is here. That utopia awaits should not surprise anyone.

I would say the movie is for animation buffs for the most part. Animal lovers, and particular feline lovers as myself, will get drawn in but lost in the shuffle.

What an excellent animation, a very pleasant surprise ! Able to talk (not to much insisting on the religious side) about Judaism, Jews and Muslims all together without being heavy, pedant nor dogmatic and with a great touch of humour, I loved that. The drawing are very well made, the dialogues (rather simple, like my comment) have the right touch to make you smile... and the cat is just perfect !

Usually I avoid every movie talking about Judaism, not because of Judaism itself (I am an atheist), but for political reasons : since 1967, I am fed up with all the propaganda made for (sionism and) Israël. I mean the state, not the people living there. For a country created on foreign lands which did not belong to the Jews more than it did to the Palestinians... and the last mentioned were already there... ! Personnaly, I have no problem to speak and communicate with any Israelis, Arabic or Jew, unless he/she comes along with his/her Uzi or AK-47 and puts it in front of my noise :-) And I am also fed up with the brainwash in most newspapers and in TV channels made since WW2, as if the Jews were the only ones who suffered and died during the six sad long years... Why Russian or Polish couldn't also lament for 70 years ?! Imagine the newspapers, filled with these types of articles : it could last for 300 years !!!

Well, back to this funny animation, I will recommend it to my friends and/or to anyone who could enjoy something fresh, original, out of the main stream blockbusters. I agree there are some missing explanatory parts, but I don't care, I enjoyed the whole part.

10/10

A film is never really good unless the camera is an eyes in the head of a poet Orson Welles