Ernest & Celestine

97 Oh my god. The last time I remember being taken aback by the utterly shocking quality of a movie was Spirited Away, only the movie that sparked me back into film. I now find myself in a stunningly familiar spot, and I am afraid to say it but, this movie may be better... Just such a perfect story, so small uet leaves such a mark on you. I'm having trouble conjure any words to do this story justice but I will try. This relationship between our two incredible protagonists Ernest and Celestine, is simply one of the most beautiful not only pairs, but soulful connections I have seen in my entire life. Never have I seen such polar opposites move and interact together so fluid with each other, virtually never missing a beat throughout and creating countless heartfelt moments that transcend reality and cement themselves in your heart and soul. It's like your living a dream, with the person who just fits with you, watching from afar of what your life could be if things were better, times were simpler, and you were luckier, most lucky. Celestine, a meek mouse with a heart of gold and a passion for art, and Ernest with a heart even shinier and a passion for entertainment, I have no words, flawless narrative from top to bottom and thats just for our duo. It's just that this is an incredibly simple story. Here I am watching a classic romeo and juliet story but sub a mouse and a bear, but theres just something about it that sends it to another level. Maybe it's the storybook vibe of it all, it truly puts you back into yourself as a child, reading stories like this for hours and dozing off to imagine all the things come to life. I think to blame is the nature of the pacing of this story, in such a short runtime it goes by in a flash but really keeps you for those important scenes, it really takes it's time giving us a look into their time spent together and you feel so lucky to be in the room with them.  That animation is wistful in the most magnificent way. Like I said as it is based of a storybook they give us a watercolor style that I cannot get over, I just wish I was back to when these were so easy to come by and I got to experience visuals like this on the pages. Celestine has one of my all time favorite designs for a character, her supremely cute eyes and ears paired with her squeeky voice make for the character we all think of when imaging a little girl mouse, something you'd dream about finding in the nooks and crannies of your house, something you'd lure cheese with and she comes floating about, just great. Same with Ernest, his massive contrast to her is what makes them so great together, his movements are what really shine as you can just feel his rumbles all around you. The music so small, yet so elegant, it paints the perfect picture for an adorable tale with endless personality and charm. Not even sure I heard it at times because of the state these scenes put you in but from what I remember the piano keys and violin compliment not only every movement of the characters, but every word and action acted, making for a match made in heaven. Lastly, but certainly not least, the worldbuilding is unbelievable. The bears up top mouse down below is such an effortless, yet super entertaining way to show how these characters live about. I especially loved the unique design of the mouse world in contrast to above, it is geniuenly a world crafted by seemingly angels and is somewhere you'd want to explore for days, I found myself wishing this movie was 2 more hours just so we could spend more time there, astonishing.  All around, can't believe I am saying this but I have just watched my 10th 5 star movie for the first time and what a film to hit that mark, I have no words left to say for now so I will just say joy, nothing screams pure joy and jubilation like the final sequence of this movie.