"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" is a co-production between the United States and the United Kingdom that premiered back in 2022 and also got in at the 2023 Oscars and I watched this one just like the four other nominees at a movie theater. It won the BAFTA not too long ago and for writers and directors Baynton, Mackesy and Croker it is definitely among their biggest career achievements, no matter if it takes the Oscar or not. I think it has a good chance. It is probably between this one and the shorter Portuguese entry overall if the previous awards attention means something. This one here was also fairly success at the recent Annie Awards. It is pretty opposite in terms of certain aspects. The running time of over half an hour is fairly massive compared to the other nominees and if we look at who made this and who voiced the characters, this children's book adaptation is also a bit on the pompous side. I mean Croker is credited for "Paddington 2" for example and Idris Elba is a huge star. Gabriel Byrne many will recognize as well and Tom Hollander may not be Tom Holland, but he has been in many impactful British films over the years. So yeah, I think this is a way more British than American film. The aforementioned Mackesy, the writer of the book, also originates from the UK. The book came only out in 2019, so not even five years ago before the making and release of this film. Went pretty fast.
But today we shall talk a bit more about the movie: I liked it, a lot at times even. The mole was just the best ever with how the paws were depicted. The fox I also really adored with his character how he is a wild animal early on, but then a little later helps the mole after the latter saved him as well. Yet, he always stays a few steps back and his words in the end like how (he thinks) he has nothing interesting to say were on the touching side. The horse is the last companion to join the group was probably the most majestic and spectacular inclusion, especially when we learn it is able to fly, so basically Pegasus. The idea that it hid the ability because the other horses were jealous was alright, but not among the film's best aspects and for me the horse was not even close to the level of the fox and mole I would say. The boy was also not super interesting, even if he was the central character, but yeah, for me he was really rather the one bringing these other more impactful characters together. Still, it is a nice story on (unlikely) friendship we have here.
At the end, the film goes maybe a bit too much over the top. How the boy goes back to realize that home is where the heart is, with the creatures you adore the most and not necessarily where you live was still tolerable, even if it did feel a bit exaggerated because he knew them only for such a short period of time. Still when they hugged it out, I almost forgot about that. So yeah, sometimes less is more and this can surely be said with the fireworks in the end or visually really showy closure to the story. Almost too much of a happy ending and slightly more subtlety could have made me give this an even higher rating. I did enjoy the outcome though and I will be cheering for it on Oscar night. This is the one nominee that is mostly for the kids. Nice animation with a fairly traditional approach at times, beautifully animated characters and an elaboration on how beautiful innocence prevails and how you will be found eventually after getting lost. The snow is helping of course too in my case because I just really adore snow. My favorite from the five nominees. Fingers crossed it can claim the prize next weekend. Also it could not be any more different to the also nominated "My Year of Dicks", even if the title of that one is not as sleazy as you initially think it is. Off to review this one now.
But today we shall talk a bit more about the movie: I liked it, a lot at times even. The mole was just the best ever with how the paws were depicted. The fox I also really adored with his character how he is a wild animal early on, but then a little later helps the mole after the latter saved him as well. Yet, he always stays a few steps back and his words in the end like how (he thinks) he has nothing interesting to say were on the touching side. The horse is the last companion to join the group was probably the most majestic and spectacular inclusion, especially when we learn it is able to fly, so basically Pegasus. The idea that it hid the ability because the other horses were jealous was alright, but not among the film's best aspects and for me the horse was not even close to the level of the fox and mole I would say. The boy was also not super interesting, even if he was the central character, but yeah, for me he was really rather the one bringing these other more impactful characters together. Still, it is a nice story on (unlikely) friendship we have here.
At the end, the film goes maybe a bit too much over the top. How the boy goes back to realize that home is where the heart is, with the creatures you adore the most and not necessarily where you live was still tolerable, even if it did feel a bit exaggerated because he knew them only for such a short period of time. Still when they hugged it out, I almost forgot about that. So yeah, sometimes less is more and this can surely be said with the fireworks in the end or visually really showy closure to the story. Almost too much of a happy ending and slightly more subtlety could have made me give this an even higher rating. I did enjoy the outcome though and I will be cheering for it on Oscar night. This is the one nominee that is mostly for the kids. Nice animation with a fairly traditional approach at times, beautifully animated characters and an elaboration on how beautiful innocence prevails and how you will be found eventually after getting lost. The snow is helping of course too in my case because I just really adore snow. My favorite from the five nominees. Fingers crossed it can claim the prize next weekend. Also it could not be any more different to the also nominated "My Year of Dicks", even if the title of that one is not as sleazy as you initially think it is. Off to review this one now.