Ernest et Célestine (2012)

Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar & Benjamin Renner. Starring (voices) Pauline Brunner, Lambert Wilson, Dominique Collignon, Patrice Melennec, Anne-Marie Loop, Pierre Baton, Féodor Atkine, Brigitte Virtudes, Vincent Grass. [PG]

Cute, cozy animated movie out of France is aimed at little ones, but doesn’t pander to (and won’t bore) attentive adults. In a world populated by anthropomorphic bears (aboveground) and mice (under) who are mortal enemies of one another, the hungry bear Ernest and the headstrong orphan mouse Célestine, outsiders/outcasts within their respective communities, find kinship in each other’s company. It’s simple as an allegory for mob rule and prejudice, and slight as a sweet fable of friendship. The conflicts found in the twin threads at the end are resolved too cleanly, but clear messaging without pedantry or repetition is good news for everyone. The minimalist, storybook-style animation, with uncomplicated, hand-drawn shapes and figures atop soothing watercolors, is a lovely charmer. Based on a children’s book series by Belgian illustrator/author Gabrielle Vincent; a second movie inspired by the books arrived a decade later (Ernest et Célestine: Le Voyage en Charabie). English-language dub features the voices of Forest Whitaker, William H. Macy, Nick Offerman, Lauren Bacall, and more.

74/100