Luc W
"The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse" is a film that wrestles with an unusual tension—an aesthetic of beauty and tranquility that struggles to find an emotional center. Visually, it is undeniably striking, with animation that could be described as nothing short of exquisite. There’s a softness to the watercolor palette, a fluidity to the animation, which echoes the kind of tenderness found in Ernest & Celestine. Yet, despite these visual delights, the film never quite escapes the shadow of its own shallowness.
Much has been made of the film's meditative, almost philosophical musings—the kind of life-affirming wisdom that one might expect from the School of Life series. For some, these brief bursts of insight may resonate as sweet and comforting. But for others, like myself, they feel less like genuine revelations and more like cynical, pre-packaged epiphanies. There is an impatience to the film that makes it feel less like a journey of discovery and more like a laundry list of platitudes tossed at the audience. The characters—who include a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse—deliver their life lessons with little more than a shrug, as if the answers to life's toughest questions could be settled over a cup of tea.
The beauty of these characters, however, lies in their design, which recalls the simplicity and warmth of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. Yet, much like Pooh and his friends, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse seems to be a collection of fragments from other, better works. The watercolor landscapes evoke a comforting sense of nostalgia, but they never feel fully earned. The music, which could easily be mistaken for the soundtrack of an airline safety video, further adds to the film’s sense of detachment, a bit too polished and emotionally distant to stir much in the way of true connection.
It’s not that The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse lacks merit. The animation is, as mentioned, wonderful, and there is something endearing about its warm, familiar tone. But in the end, the film’s strengths feel borrowed rather than original, and its emotional depth remains just out of reach—leaving one with the impression that it’s more concerned with delivering life lessons than with crafting a story that can stand on its own.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/15/25
Full Review
Sai C
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse* is a short film that feels like a gentle, warm hug. It tells a simple yet powerful story about friendship, kindness, and finding hope, even in hard times.
The story follows a boy who is lost and meets three animals—a curious mole, a quiet fox, and a wise horse. Together, they go on a journey to find the boy’s home. Along the way, they share deep and meaningful thoughts about life. The words they say are easy to understand but touch your heart in a big way.
The animation is beautiful, like a painting that has come to life. The voices of the characters are soft and calming, making you feel peaceful as you watch.
This film is more than just a story; it’s a reminder to be kind to yourself and others. It’s about friendship, courage, and the idea that sometimes the smallest steps can lead to the biggest changes.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a short film that everyone should see. It’s simple, sweet, and stays with you long after it ends.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/09/25
Full Review
terry W
Delightful, thoughtful, beautiful engaging. I must see for all ages about Hope, love and friendship.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/06/25
Full Review
Indigo O
Beautiful morals and beautiful art. Definitely one of those things to watch when you're feeling low. All ages, kids and adults, can benefit from the wisdoms in this film.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/01/25
Full Review
D G
Anyone giving this less than five stars are hiding from there true selves , why you are ashamed of your true feelings i dont know , honesty is so much .
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/27/24
Full Review
Jay W
I wish I had something profound or interesting to say about this film. I'll just be honest, being honest is always interesting. Every line of dialogue from this special feels like it should be embroidered onto a pillow. All of the titular characters have lines that could be on inspirational posters or fortune cookies. It can be difficult to be both so simple a child can understand, while at the same time so profound that it makes adults ponder.
The animation is beautiful. It matches the unique ink quill drawing style of Mackesy. In it, no line gets erased.
This film is enough. Just as it is.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
12/09/24
Full Review
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