![]() Basically this film follows the life of a donkey named Balthazar, as he grows up and passes from owner to owner, all treating them differently, either with kindness or cruelty, and making him go through happiness and sadness. When I read about this French/Swedish film, that featured in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, I assumed from the description it would be like a War Horse style movie, only with no war and stuff, but it turned out to be nothing like that, LOL, from director Robert Bresson. By the way, I'm no intellectual, but I get tired of those who think that being coarse and dismissive of intelligent efforts in film because the writers and directors are creative and artistic, is as tiresome as those you are putting down. If he had stayed in a pen for his entire life, the film would not exist. I suppose one could criticize the idea that a donkey would encounter so much pain, that that's the story that unfolds. No, I don't understand all of the intricate metaphorical visuals, but each character was real and acted in a way that would portray that reality. Like all situational films, the artist weaves the events based on a select milieu. If Balthazar had been born in Salt Lake City, his life would have been different. I would remind those who are so annoyed at the scope of this, you need to take the time and the setting to have a fix on the themes and ideas put forth here. However, to me, it didn't seem GREAT or deserving of all the accolades, as it was just a very good movie and that is all.īresson takes a lifetime (that of Balthazar) and molds it into a commentary that is bleak and painful. ![]() Technically, the film was competently made and only mildly interesting. In fact, because all people are ultimately BAD in this film, I could definitely see it being used as propaganda by animal rights advocates-whether or not this was the intention of the producers of the film. Each, it seems, is ultimately selfish and most are particularly vile people. However, the story also shows snippets of the lives of the people that own the animal as it is passed from person to person. The film's central figure is the donkey and he's just an ordinary animal in every way. However, for the average viewer, the movie will still have impact-just not quite as much. This isn't meant as an insult, but just stating that animal rights lovers will no doubt think this is a marvelous film, as it shows the repeated neglect and mistreatment a poor donkey must endure-only to end in a very inglorious and sad fashion. ![]() I think this movie is probably one of the most beloved films of groups like PETA. ![]()
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