Over Time (2005) User Reviews

Tender farewell to an honored mentor...

[Moxie · 10/10 · 27 June 2006]

I tuned in to a showing of this exquisite 5-minute short animation at about the 3-minute mark, when it was 40% over. Even so, I was moved by the gentle, wistfully grieving honoring of the Kermit-style puppets as they cooked and served a banquet, played instruments, and so on, for their... master? teacher? -- whom they dressed and propped up so that he could "enjoy" and "participate" in these devotions.

Having come in late, I wasn't sure who this person, or the dozens of little ones, were supposed to be. With the sweet, slow violin music (listed in the credits as "Inconsolable"), I guessed that this might be an homage by actual students (representing themselves through the hand puppets) for an actual teacher or maestro.

The first reviewer here indicates that it's a fictional story about a recently deceased puppeteer and his puppets. But it's not necessary to know even that... If life has ever required you to part with a mentor, the love, tenderness, respect displayed by these simple yet subtle puppets will move your heart... in minutes.

a memorable piece of animation excellence

[drag-5 · 10/10 · 6 October 2005]

This film is incredible. The most captivating piece of animation I have seen. It takes film noir approach and tells the story of an animator who gets the tables turned upon him. An animator has died and the puppets he has spent his whole life animating, then proceed to animate him instead. It is a very personal experience as they treat him with the same tenderness as an animator would treat his puppets with. This has very many levels and will certainly keep you thinking about it for a long time after you have watched it. there are many references to other sources and some peculiar choices like blank eyes for example. there is a deep message going on in this, and it is up to you to find your own meaning from it. it is a true work of art. It is filmed in black and white, and has a brilliant score. it starts off very upbeat and then towards the end gets melancholy. This is a must see, an incredible film!

Plot is "The Muppets Weekend at Bernie's" but yet delicate and moving

[bob the moo · 19 April 2014]

Delivered in black and white with touches of slow motion under a moving score, this film has a quality that really doesn't match the plot if you were to describe it. To do it a disservice, the death of an old man leaves all his puppets at a loss until they decide that they can carry on by propping him up and essentially pretending he is still alive and well. Given that the puppets have a bit of the Kermit about them, essentially what we have here is, put crudely, is The Muppets Weekend at Bernie's. Of course this is a stupid way to say it, because if it really did go down that road it would be a very different film and it probably wouldn't have been quite as touching.

Instead what we get is a very delicately done story where the puppets try to carry on and we see their efforts. At the same time we have a very beautiful score which is played by the puppets – in arty, nicely lit shots. These shots are extended into the film where we get slow- motion movement of the characters as they react with sadness and respect. Considering that these are computer-animated puppets without too much scope for emotion in their face, the use of body language, shot framing and music is important and very well done. It is surprising how affecting it all is for such a small odd film.

Probably best not to try to describe it but even as the film initially feels weird and unusual, the strengths of the film soon make such things fade as the clever delivery draws you in and is quite touching overall.