"Ernest and Celestine" and Me

Recently at the Los Angeles Film Festival, I got to check out a screening of a recent traditionally hand drawn animated film from France called Ernest and Celestine, directed by Stephane Auber, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner. Based on a series of children's books by Belgian author and illustrator Gabrielle Vincent, the story follows a young orphan mouse named Celestine (voiced by Pauline Brunner) who befriends a poor hungry bear named Ernest (voiced by Lambert Wilson). But their two separate worlds, the world of the mice that live below ground, and the world of the bears that live above ground do not approve of this friendship and see it as a crime. Ernest and Celestine together are out to prove that just because they come from separate worlds does not mean they are no similarities between the two. Sounds simple enough, but Ernest and Celestine presents its familiar story and message in an entertaining, heartwarming, and enjoyably cute fashion giving the feeling of being a child again and experiencing both the story and the moral for the first time. 


Ernest is starts off as a grumpy bear, but from the start is still entertaining, likable, and funny. His little bear instincts of being always hungry and sniffing for food give off a cute vibe of almost watching your favorite bear character from again such as Winnie the Pooh or the Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House. He also has good and quick comedic one liners that get a good giggle here and there. The voice actor for Ernest, Lambert Wilson, really does give this lovable bear some character and relatable connection with the audience. Celestine is a little cute hero that provides a lot of heart for the film. This is one of the few rare times that I can actually like a child character that acts mature for her age. This is because actress Pauline Brunner adds a lot of charisma to her performance making the character herself even more charismatic and charming to the audience. Celestine is also one of those characters I can truly admire for how smart and clever she is. Most of the supporting cast seem like the typical closed minded civilians who shun our heroes for their "odd " disturbance of the status quo, but a lot of them turn out to be really likable and provide great comedic moments. 


The animation is very unique and is sort of refreshing to see. The whole gives an obvious feel of a children's books with the texture, character design, hard  and sketchy outlines, and painted watercolor backgrounds. This is one of those elements again that allows the audience to relive their childhood and go back to a colorful and imaginative world like the ones they used t experience. There are times where I would wish for some more out the animation, but then again it does provide a god amount of creative and colorful visuals. If I got more I would be spoiled. Plus, despite the number of CG animated films that are released today, even the good number of very good ones, it does feel refreshing to see an animated film that is traditionally hand draw on the big screen again.


The story for Ernest ad Celestine is I have to admit is very simple. But then again is the simplicity of the film that allows to the film itself to exert the emotional weight on to the audience. The film i about a little mouse that befriends a bear, and you know what they focus on that premise throughout the entire film. There are little subplots here and there, but they are used effectively to establish character development ad conflict. The film does not even need that tense of a climax in order to be edgy. It does not even try to be too dark. It is what it is and the film enjoys every minute of it and so do I. Even if the premise sounds more like a satire of a children's story, the film manages to offer something new, entertaining, and heartwarming for people of all ages. 

GRADE: P+



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