While the medium of animation is capable of virtually anything, most recently it’s been honed into the scope of its spectacle. From the insane prowess of battle sequences in Ne Zha 2 to the pure manic insanity of anime films like Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, the scale of battles has never felt larger in the medium. A film like Little Amélie or the Character of Rain has a scope of its own, but through a lens all of us have experienced: early childhood. The time in life when even the most basic and mundane things are seen as a new world of wonder to explore, and the film captures this feeling through the lens of a 2-year-old, Amélie.
Not only is it so refreshing to witness a coming-of-age story within an age range we rarely see, but it’s shown through the most breathtaking animation that’s been seen all year. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain shows us all the wonders and sad complexities of life and why we should hold on to our memories of childlike wonder even when they’re not with us anymore; a heartfelt and tender experience you’ll never want to let go of.
When the film starts in the 1960s, we view Amélie (Loïse Charpentier) straight out of the womb, and she thinks that from birth, she is officially a god of sorts. Amélie was born to her Belgian parents, who have been living in Post-War Japan for a while now with two other children. After she’s born, Amélie is a slow bloomer, residing inside a protective bubble and not being very active in normal baby activities.
However, she soon has an ethereal experience when her grandmother, Claude (Cathy Cerda), gifts her with a piece of white chocolate to eat, and from that moment on, Amélie’s life feels forever changed. She begins asking questions about everything, exploring new words and feelings, and forms a strong bond with her family’s Japanese housekeeper, Nishio-San (Victoria Grosbois), who introduces many of life’s curiosities to Amélie.
It’s impossible to talk about what works with Little Amélie or the Character of Rain without mentioning the film’s splendid animation, which is essentially a part of its language. The film’s use of watercolor animation is truly incredible, but what’s even better about its use is how distinct it makes every scene visually, whether it’s through Amélie’s young and lively imagination or the film’s transcendent view of the real locations showcased.
The film makes every scene radiate pure, colorful magic so we can feel what Amélie feels when she experiences something new: pure wonder. From the first drops of rain that trickle on her skin to seeing her first spring where the flowers bloom in stunning hues, it’s all shown from the earnest perspective of childlike wonder in a way that completely separates it from other coming-of-age films. The vibrancy of light bounces off every frame and reflection in the water, creating one of the most distinct animated worlds one could witness.
What’s even more surprising about the film is just how honest it is about viewing unusual perspectives of life from such an early stage as well. The film delves into the grief we have when loved ones pass on and the struggles of convincing others of melding different cultures together, but what is most impactful is the look at the memories we’re afraid to leave behind from such young years. Through the film, Amélie learns about all the unique wonders of the world, but she also learns of the meaning of death and how learning to love those wonders as long as she can is what makes life so beautiful, even through the pain. It’s such a simple takeaway that is bolstered by the film’s visual representation of these themes; these moments, through even the most innocent of perspectives, can still be conveyed in such touching ways.
Even in a pack of some tough competition, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is cemented as one of the best animated films of the year. A beautifully animated portrait of a coming-of-age story told through such a young point of view that captures both the complexities and beauties of life in equal measure. It will stand the test of time as a dreamlike journey of the remarkable start to life that we have all experienced.
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is currently playing in theaters courtesy of GKIDS.
A beautifully animated portrait of a coming-of-age story told through such a young point of view that captures both the complexities and beauties of life in equal measure. It will stand the test of time as a dreamlike journey of the remarkable start to life that we have all experienced.
Lover of film writing about film. Member of the Dallas Fort-Worth Critics Association. The more time passes, the more the medium of movies has become deeply intertwined with who I am.
