The Little Prince, (Mark Osborne, 2015): France

Reviewed by Anna Acuna. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, 2016. Arlington Theater.

In a stroke of luck for Santa Barbarians and visiting festival goers, “The Little Prince”, directed and produced by Mark Osborne premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival this year. The film is adapted from the 1943 book, “Le Petit Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, one of the most beloved novellas of the 20th century, in many countries.  The aesthetically engaging stop animation film strummed the heartstrings of viewers of all ages with messages and themes that are unsettlingly close to home for many adults. Jeff Bridges’ crustily endearing voice as the Aviator is one of the major highlights of the film, and other major actors like Rachel McAdams, James Franco, and Paul Rudd make a vocal appearance.

In an interview, Osborne said that the storyline was created for “anybody who is or once was a child”. The storybook-like movie starts with an overbearing single mother (Rachel McAdams) and a little girl, in their own small and lonely suburban life. It is summer break and the Little Girl (Mackenzie Foy) is being shopped around to private schools in order to “further herself” in life. Her complacency with her mother’s influence and strict life is broken with the appearance of a mysterious curmudgeon named the Aviator (Jeff Bridges), who lives next door to their new house. A friendship is cultivated and adventure ensues.

Originally, Osborne was against creating a cinematic version of the book for fear that it would detract from the charm and artistic intent of the original. In order to protect the integrity of the original story, the filmmaker decided to create this alternate layer of storyline in order to “protect the book, and to constantly remind the viewer that the book is a work of art”. The original book’s theme has been paraphrased in one quote, “What is essential is invisible to the eye”. It’s enigmatic plot explores the fleeting nature of childhood and love, and the dangers of growing up. Osborne illustrates these ideas with beautiful surrealist scenes.

Overall, The Little Prince is an important film for the animation genre that delves past the emotional depth of any of the Disney-style fluff animation films that have been out lately.

 

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Published:
02.11.16 / 9am
Category:
Films, Santa Barbara Film Festival 2016