Tim here. Every December, Tim's Toons preps for the upcoming Oscar nominations in January by looking at some of the smaller and more easily overlooked films that have thrown their hat in the ring for the Best Animated Feature Oscar. It's a slim list of 16 titles this year, which means that if even one of them fails to meet the eligibility requirements (they don't all appear to have had their qualifying theatrical run yet), we wouldn’t have a year with five nominees. Something to think about as you all work on your nomination predictions.
Let’s turn now to one of those films that almost certainly won't make the cut no matter how many nominees end up happening, through absolutely no fault of its own. Moomins on the Riviera is a slight, charming, and deeply silly comedy adapting an iconic Finnish comic strip and children’s book series, quite obscure in America,...
Let’s turn now to one of those films that almost certainly won't make the cut no matter how many nominees end up happening, through absolutely no fault of its own. Moomins on the Riviera is a slight, charming, and deeply silly comedy adapting an iconic Finnish comic strip and children’s book series, quite obscure in America,...
- 12/5/2015
- by Tim Brayton
- FilmExperience
Fervently adored in their homeland, most of Europe, and, Japan, the Moomins might be less of a household name for American audiences, but the lack of familiarity should in no way hinder their enjoyment. The characters created by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson originally appeared in 1945 when the first book on their adventures was published. Since then, the Moomins have endured over 60 years of a fast-changing world and countless iterations including a long-running comic strip, stage productions, animated series in various technique from traditional to stop-motion and 3D/CGI, and even a live-action broadcast with suit actors.
The love for these endearing charmers is such that entire shops a la Disney Store dedicated to all things Moomins exist across Europe and a themed park, appropriately named Moomin World, is one of the main attractions in the town of Naantali, Finland. Not surprisingly when Xavier Picard and Hanna Hemilä’s "Moomins on the Riviera" opened across the pond late last year fans of all ages were delighted. Since the hand-drawn animated film is the Moomins first appearance on any audiovisual medium in over a decade,is evident that the need for some Moomin warmth had to be quenched.
Those unacquainted with the plump, huggable, and hippopotamus-like characters (although Moominpappa assures us scientists have proven there is no relationship between Moomins and hippopotami), are sure to be enchanted by their kindness and disarmingly positive attitude. But regardless of how savvy or not one is about them, “Moomins on the Riviera” can either be a terrific introduction to their unpretentiously magical world or a heartwarming reminder of why we’ve fallen heads over heels for their picturesque exploits.
Picard’s tight 78-minute film encounters the protagonists in a colorful natural environment avidly baptized Moomin Valley, a place where they peacefully coexist with other fairytale and forest creatures. Tender and lovable as can be, the family includes the nonchalant top hat-wearing patriarch Moominpappa (Nathaniel Parker), the caring Moominmamma (Tracy-Ann Oberman) who is a gardener at heart, their brave but apprehensive son Moomin (Russell Tovey), and his romance-obsessed girlfriend Snorkmaiden (Stephanie Winiecki). Their existence is humble as they find pleasure in the simple things their fertile land provides and each other’s company.
If one thing is true about the Moomins is that they are joyful folks without a hint of malice in their heart, so when a pirate ship crashes near the shore they only way they know how to deal with is by welcoming them with open arms. This is when we meets one of the property’s most memorable characters, Little My (Ruth Gibson), an energetic little human girl with an acid sense of humor. She steals every scene with humorous comments that often veer into the darkest shades of comedy, which swiftly contrast with the Moomins ever-present friendliness.
As a result of their meeting with the group of clumsy pirates and persuasive magazine article, the Moomins embark on a trip to the sun-drenched Côte d'Azur. Dangerous storms and a barren island aren’t enough to defeat the tight-knit clan’s resolve. Once on the lavish Riviera the Moomins check into a fabulous hotel as the “De Moomins,” which prompts the staff to believe they are royals from a far away land. They cater to their every need under the assumption that money is not a problem, unaware that the concept of currency is foreign to the eccentric new arrivals. Inspired by a famous socialite named Audrey Glamour (Shelley Blond), Snorkmaiden rapidly becomes accustomed to the wealthy lifestyle and fits right in with the other glamorous guests. For the rest of the family the transition is not as smooth and tensions rise as a sophisticated fellow tries to steal Snorkmaiden’s heart and Moominpappa’s new friend, an aristocrat who wishes to be an artist, get them in more than a little trouble with the authorities.
Elegantly executed like a delicate storybook, the hand-drawn frames employ pastel hues, peculiar backgrounds, and seemingly modest character design that maintain the timeless quality of the Moomin universe. There are no frantic displays of high-stakes action or an epic journey to save the world from its destruction, yet the Moomins might have better lessons teach us in order to save humanity from its destruction than a score of rugged superheroes. While everyone around them treats them differently based on their presumed status, the Moomins remain easygoing and uniquely themselves. In fact, is such the divide between the pastoral fellows and the outlandish patrons, that their innate compassion becomes alluring to those who treasure financial wealth above all.
The Moomins every action reflects Jansson ‘s thoughtful intention, channeled now by Picard, to create characters that embody the best in mankind and who aim to preserve the shared beauty of the world. When everything in the Riviera bears a sign that reads “Private,” Moominmamma builds an open garden free for everyone to enjoy. Indeed sharing is caring. When the shipwreck happens, what the Moomins save is not the gold and jewels but the tropical seeds, the books, and the fireworks. These are things with more value than shiny coins. And then the pirates ask why they keep their dirty dishes under a couch; their immediate response is to explain they must wait for the rain to wash them. “Moomins on the Riviera” is not the blockbuster animated film of the year, but one with some of the wisest characters with lots of down-to-earth philosophy to share. It’s a tiny marvel. If more of us would follow the Moomins’ teachings, who knows what our own valley could be.
"Moomins on the Riviera" opens today in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Royal...
The love for these endearing charmers is such that entire shops a la Disney Store dedicated to all things Moomins exist across Europe and a themed park, appropriately named Moomin World, is one of the main attractions in the town of Naantali, Finland. Not surprisingly when Xavier Picard and Hanna Hemilä’s "Moomins on the Riviera" opened across the pond late last year fans of all ages were delighted. Since the hand-drawn animated film is the Moomins first appearance on any audiovisual medium in over a decade,is evident that the need for some Moomin warmth had to be quenched.
Those unacquainted with the plump, huggable, and hippopotamus-like characters (although Moominpappa assures us scientists have proven there is no relationship between Moomins and hippopotami), are sure to be enchanted by their kindness and disarmingly positive attitude. But regardless of how savvy or not one is about them, “Moomins on the Riviera” can either be a terrific introduction to their unpretentiously magical world or a heartwarming reminder of why we’ve fallen heads over heels for their picturesque exploits.
Picard’s tight 78-minute film encounters the protagonists in a colorful natural environment avidly baptized Moomin Valley, a place where they peacefully coexist with other fairytale and forest creatures. Tender and lovable as can be, the family includes the nonchalant top hat-wearing patriarch Moominpappa (Nathaniel Parker), the caring Moominmamma (Tracy-Ann Oberman) who is a gardener at heart, their brave but apprehensive son Moomin (Russell Tovey), and his romance-obsessed girlfriend Snorkmaiden (Stephanie Winiecki). Their existence is humble as they find pleasure in the simple things their fertile land provides and each other’s company.
If one thing is true about the Moomins is that they are joyful folks without a hint of malice in their heart, so when a pirate ship crashes near the shore they only way they know how to deal with is by welcoming them with open arms. This is when we meets one of the property’s most memorable characters, Little My (Ruth Gibson), an energetic little human girl with an acid sense of humor. She steals every scene with humorous comments that often veer into the darkest shades of comedy, which swiftly contrast with the Moomins ever-present friendliness.
As a result of their meeting with the group of clumsy pirates and persuasive magazine article, the Moomins embark on a trip to the sun-drenched Côte d'Azur. Dangerous storms and a barren island aren’t enough to defeat the tight-knit clan’s resolve. Once on the lavish Riviera the Moomins check into a fabulous hotel as the “De Moomins,” which prompts the staff to believe they are royals from a far away land. They cater to their every need under the assumption that money is not a problem, unaware that the concept of currency is foreign to the eccentric new arrivals. Inspired by a famous socialite named Audrey Glamour (Shelley Blond), Snorkmaiden rapidly becomes accustomed to the wealthy lifestyle and fits right in with the other glamorous guests. For the rest of the family the transition is not as smooth and tensions rise as a sophisticated fellow tries to steal Snorkmaiden’s heart and Moominpappa’s new friend, an aristocrat who wishes to be an artist, get them in more than a little trouble with the authorities.
Elegantly executed like a delicate storybook, the hand-drawn frames employ pastel hues, peculiar backgrounds, and seemingly modest character design that maintain the timeless quality of the Moomin universe. There are no frantic displays of high-stakes action or an epic journey to save the world from its destruction, yet the Moomins might have better lessons teach us in order to save humanity from its destruction than a score of rugged superheroes. While everyone around them treats them differently based on their presumed status, the Moomins remain easygoing and uniquely themselves. In fact, is such the divide between the pastoral fellows and the outlandish patrons, that their innate compassion becomes alluring to those who treasure financial wealth above all.
The Moomins every action reflects Jansson ‘s thoughtful intention, channeled now by Picard, to create characters that embody the best in mankind and who aim to preserve the shared beauty of the world. When everything in the Riviera bears a sign that reads “Private,” Moominmamma builds an open garden free for everyone to enjoy. Indeed sharing is caring. When the shipwreck happens, what the Moomins save is not the gold and jewels but the tropical seeds, the books, and the fireworks. These are things with more value than shiny coins. And then the pirates ask why they keep their dirty dishes under a couch; their immediate response is to explain they must wait for the rain to wash them. “Moomins on the Riviera” is not the blockbuster animated film of the year, but one with some of the wisest characters with lots of down-to-earth philosophy to share. It’s a tiny marvel. If more of us would follow the Moomins’ teachings, who knows what our own valley could be.
"Moomins on the Riviera" opens today in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Royal...
- 12/4/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.