Movie: Little Amelie or The Character of Rain
Running Time: 1:18
Nominated for: Animated Feature
How I watched: Prime
When it had me: I liked the springtime animation
When it lost me: The kid felt kind of evil?
What systems does it challenge: Prejudice, Poor parenting
While I really appreciate the running time of this movie, I didn't really connect with it.
This is about a child growing up in Japan. She doesn't speak or walk until two and half years of age so she is either a "late bloomer" or a person with autism. Her parents seem so overwhelmed by their older two kids and busy lives that they don't seem to have time to devote to getting to know her.
She bonds with a couple of caregivers as she learns her place in the world and whether or not she even wants to be in it.
The kid believes she is God and seems to have a lot of wrath, which didn't make me feel quite comfortable. The parents seem borderline neglectful, the housekeeper is great but also talks a lot about death and trauma, and the landlord is hateful. It's just s a lot to sift through.
Visually, it does not depict the same darkness or ambiguity. It's bright and cheerful looking even when it doesn't feel that way.
It's not my favorite animated film this year but it will teach you how to write the Japanese character for rain.
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