L'Illusioniste

Now, I really liked this one. L'Illusioniste is a cartoon movie. Nothing fancy like Tintin. Just a beautiful, simple story, lovely drawings, and gorgeous watercolour backgrounds.

Like The Artist, it's about what happens when yesterday's stars become obsolete in today's world. Based on  a scenario by Jacques Tati, it's full of allusions to Tati himself.

And it's a really sweet story. The eponymous Illusionist finds that his work - essentially, pulling a rabbit out of a hat -  is drying up, as the audiences are looking for new forms of entertainment. He ends up in a remote town in Scotland, where a young girl takes a shine to him. But not in that way. More like a father-daughter relationship. When he leaves the town, she goes with him to the city. She is fascinated by everything, the shops, the fashionable clothes, the busy streets,... While he struggles to find work for himself and his rabbit.

There is no dialog, but the feelings and emotions are portrayed with a delicate touch and with humour. There is a sadness that runs throughout, the end of an era, the struggle to stay relevant, but also there is the sparkle of a new world seen through the eyes of a young woman. It's beautifully done. Loved it. Will definitely watch it again.