rasputin-23

I elected to watch this today on Netflix, not certain what I was in for. Frankly, I have been disappointed with the direction that children's animated features have taken in recent years: they've become too silly, noisy, frenetic, bumptious, slangy, sarcastic... and totally devoid of REAL intimacy, tenderness and emotion.... of the kind that Disney films used to have in the 1930's, 40's and 50's.

But I am stunned by this film. So visually beautiful, gorgeous sound design. Stunningly detailed sets, and you will be hard-pressed to imagine where the live action ends... and the CGI begins. And the Mo-Cap animation is just blowing me away: They really have invested these animal characters with heartbreakingly honest and beautiful emotion, of a kind I have never seen before. I literally cannot examine these animated animal faces... without tearing up. This is real art, real care, real subtlety. In short, they've managed to traverse the "uncanny valley", and produce animated characters whose emotions are dazzlingly realistic, immensely subtle, detailed and affecting. At age 55, I am watching this thing with the openhearted, surrendered trust of a 6-year-old... because the animators have earned that from me.

One of the best family-oriented films of the Millennium, no question. Perhaps it is a little dark, but I know my toddler niece and nephew would totally love it and understand it.

This film was obviously a labor of love... it's perceptible in every frame. I'm surprised it's not better known, because it works in every way. Truly Jeannine Deckers was a woman ahead of her time, even if that world wasn't ready for her. A gay icon, avant-la-lettre. And people ahead of their time sometimes must go through hell, and Jeannine did.

Exquisitely, stylishly photographed, elegantly and suavely edited, and superbly acted and directed, this will be a must-see for those immersed in Catholic theology, women's studies, sexual politics, those immersed in GLBT issues and history, 1960's history, and those who simply loved her 1962 hit, "Dominique" (even though her record was presented maniacally, as a source of bizarrerie in the recent episodes of American HORROR STORY, perhaps unfortunately.) The period details are stunningly accurate throughout... Belgium in the 1960's is flawlessly rendered... every prop, fabric, automobile and hairstyle is note-perfect.

The character obviously representing Ed Sullivan has been given a similar-sounding pseudonym in this film, almost surely because of permission rights in using his name. But anyone with any wit at all recognizes him and his TV show.

This is a film of great subtlety and emotion, and the tour-de-force performance given by the lovely and amazing Cécile de France is stunning. In fact, I feel slightly in love with her after seeing this.

Highly recommended. It is my hope that many GLBT folks worldwide will watch this, especially my sapphic sisters, even if they are less-than-comfortable with watching a foreign film with subtitles. See this! A magnificent gem of a film.