The Triplets of Belleville

The Triplets of Belleville is a delightful excursion – satirical, subversive, but all in good fun.

This is the first of several French films I have seen recently, and I enjoyed it very much, although I wouldn’t say I loved it as much as some other animated fare of recent years. But Triplets doesn’t quite fit alongside Shrek, Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc. – it is entirely directed at adults, whereas the Hollywood ones have always been for kids, with some side jokes for adults.

This film displays a humour that I had found missing in my interactions with the French previously, although I admit I was not in a great mood when I was in Paris – gee that place is over-rated! There is a joy and a wit in Triplets, that can lighten the heart. But this is not all fun. There are moments of outright subversiveness, and at almost all times this film is satirising some aspect of modern life.

Whilst I do not agree with the discussions going on over at IMDb about whether this film is ‘anti-American’ or not – surely anyone with half a brain could see it was much more anti-progress! – there are implications that suggest the author is not convinced of the benefits of the globalisation of world culture.

The music is fun, particularly the eponymous track sung by the three ‘Triplets’. The animation is pseudo old school – washed out, drab, angular. It fits, although I did at times have to mentally adjust my expectations after the last decades’ massive advances in cartooning.

The central relationship between grandmother and grandson, although bizarre, provides heart to an otherwise comedic story. Her devotion to his progress allows us moments of great mirth.

This is a fun film, and should be refreshing to those of us who usually feast at the table of the Hollywood moguls. It is not perfect, but enjoyable nonetheless.