Flow Review
Flow (2024) Film Review, a movie directed by Gints Zilbalodis and written by Matiss Kaza and Gints Zilbalodis.
Gints Zilbalodis’ animated Latvian feature, Flow, comes out of nowhere to become the most interesting of all this year’s animated motion pictures. Is it the best of this year’s animated movies? The jury may still be out on that one but for what it is, it’s simply breathtaking to behold in all its splendor. It’s led by a black cat with gorgeous, expressive eyes that meshes with other different types of animal species. Go with the “flow” may be the way life is lived by this cat but the feline definitely has a heart that rivals those found in great works of cinematic fiction like Babe or E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. There’s a difference, though. There are no humans around here and no animals talk in Flow. This film exists in a world where there was a flood and animals seem to be dominant as they “flow” along doing basically whatever they can to survive.
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This film shows its creativity early on when the cat finds itself trying to stay afloat in water while atop a black statue of -what else?- a cat. There are also some dogs around too who seek refuge on a boat. Then, a capybara appears. This is a huge rodent. It’s not necessarily pleasant to look at but it seems to be harmless enough to trust. A white secretarybird also manages to cross paths with the adorable cat early on and beyond. The plot thickens as a whale rises the cat to safety in a rather tricky situation. When the whale appears later in the movie, there is a heartbreaking moment of realization by the cat which will certainly move film-goers.
Flow has a decent plot but it’s not necessarily one of its strongest assets. The characterization of the cat is actually its most prized asset. This cat has the appeal of a character that the audience will want to root for and follow throughout the journey it embarks on. A lemur or two is also immersed in the action and interacts with the cat quite effectively. I think a lemur looks like a raccoon but, then again, anyone who’s seen the Madagascar movies should know there’s a big difference.
I loved how Flow sort of turns its characters into unwilling companions who find a path to survival and form a type of friendship which is actually pretty neat under all the circumstances our characters face during the duration of the short, but sweet, film. Their friendship is not without some speed bumps or disagreements. Let’s be realistic now. They still help each other out when the going gets tough and when things get rough, they flourish and “flow” against some rather impeccable and dangerous odds.
Birds can fly high and cats like the film’s star seem to have nine lives here. And for those who adore over-sized rodents, there’s that factor of the movie. The film opens and closes with our hero looking into water at a reflection. When the animals stare at themselves in the last scene, they seem braver, wiser and more mature. Stay tuned after the credits for a happy revelation, especially for kids who may come out to see the film.
Flow is not a standard children’s film by any stretch. It’s not necessarily a children’s film. Anyone could appreciate it. This movie asks a lot from its audience and the viewer will simply give into the world it creates. While it could be deemed a “buddy” movie in terms of the way its animals help one another, the film never feels like its tugging for the heartstrings, yet it does.
None of the animals talk but they make sounds which are the real animal sounds for the given species. These noises that are made in real-life help give the animation credibility and make it feel authentic in certain respects. It’s more colorful, bright and ambitious than it could have been and to the director’s credit, the cat always feels like a truly wonderful creation. This little cat ends up getting in over its head many times–and the viewer will watch in awe every step of the way.
Flow comes in a year with a few really fine animated movies but it’s a true stand-out for its ability to keep the viewer in awe from opening to close. A cat like the one featured needs a name to sustain its place in cinematic history. Perhaps, “Flow” is the name it should have and the name the director intends for us to call it. Even if that’s not the intention, kids will want to name the cat something and “Flow” or “Flo” may work out just fine.
While it never manipulates its audience, this is a very touching movie. Flow manages to keep the viewer enthralled in the action simply by being unpredictable. Cat fans may like it better than dog fans but the dogs are also just as well-added to the material at hand here. Labrador owners will appreciate the dogs best. As for the cat, the bright eyes have it and your own eyes will be glued to the screen as one stands in this cat’s corner at every turn the story line makes. Flow is certainly a noble accomplishment.
Rating: 8/10
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