Through the use of character, setting, and allegory, Lamorisse displays the concepts of friendship, loyalty, and ostracism in his film The Red Balloon. I love the relationship between Pascal and his friend the red balloon. “It’s also a uniquely insightful movie about childhood.” In a 2008 essay, “The Red Balloon: Written on the Wind,” the children’s author … But perhaps we’re better off enjoying some things the way a child understands them: not as metaphors but as stories. This review may contain spoilers. The balloon ducks into alleys, rises suddenly to escape grabbing hands, and pauses in front of a mirror to admire itself. Ben is using Letterboxd to share film reviews and lists with friends. For you, no review is necessary - it remains as delightful an experience as the first time you watched it. Add your ratingSee all 10 parent reviews. It had a solid pilot episode but there were times I get lost in the middle of the series because it was trying to tell two different stories. Fear of the unknown? There is some tame bullying: A gang of older kids chases a boy around Paris, determined to steal and destroy his balloon. Reading the book brought back memories of the film. It follows the adventures of a young boy who befriends a sentient balloon. Enjoy the freedom of drawing your own conclusions. Parents need to know that The Red Balloon is an enchanting short film about a red balloon that befriends a little French boy is more than a joy to watch; it's a provocative exercise in creative interpretation that deserves a place of honor on any Classics shelf. All rights reserved. It was a nice drama with a strong message. Flight Of The Red Balloon; Flight Of The Red Balloon Review. No, The Red Balloon is actually a metaphor for an abusive relationship between a sexually charged young man and his new trophy girlfriend. With the increasing attention on bullying and what's do be done about it, "The Red Balloon" is a powerful tool both at home and in the classroom. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). In terms of the bourgeoisie, they were high class citizens, free from care, free from social limitations which I find quite pertinent in this case because the little boy seems liberated by the balloon's presence. Good message, in the end. Younger kids will enjoy it purely on a surface level as an engaging story about a boy and his balloon. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Practicando la gratitud durante las fiestas, Which Side of History? Perfect. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. Bleak black-and-white classic isn't likely to interest kids. Oct 2020. Parents and caregivers: Set limits for violence and more with Plus. Poignant story about tolerance and friendship. Watched It is also a classic example of what can be done in a very limited time frame, with a compelling story and genius behind the camera. It's also important to note that all of the adults are old, weathered people who walk solemnly along decrepit walls and streets, maybe these people have lost all hope, maybe not. Join here. How is color used throughout the movie? What aspects of this film do you think make it a classic? Racism? Paul Schrodt. Suggest an update to this review. Many would have you believe that The Red Balloon is a sweet children's film about a boy and his friend, a red balloon seemingly with a life of its own. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. The Red Balloon Janus 1956 / Color / 1:33 flat full frame / 34 min. We won't share this comment without your permission. 10, The two Lamorisse short films, The Red Balloon and White Mane are also available separately in an edition on their own from Network and reviewed here. It hovers outside his window. I saw the film a few years ago but did not remember much from it. The Red Balloon Review. Either way, whatever conclusion I'm trying to form, it's a fairy tale of delight and I am utterly amazed by it. / Le ballon rouge / Street Date April 29, 2008 / 14.95 Starring Pascal Lamorisse Cinematography Edmond Séchan Film Editor Pierre Gillette Original Music Maurice Le Roux Written, Produced and Directed by Albert Lamorisse But there's something more sinister at work here. Review The short film Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) was made in 1956 by the film maker AlbertLamorisse and featured his own children Pascal and Sabine in the main roles. The score is magnificent and the grim, dark blue, muddy, almost post-war/post-Depression-esque feel provides much spotlight to the red balloon at the forefront of this story. Balloon review – airborne escape caper crash lands Michael Herbig’s overwrought drama sucks the thrills out of this story of two families fleeing communist East Germany Up, up and away … Pascal is a kind little boy who demonstrates a great deal of perseverance as he forms a bond with a magical red balloon. I adored this movie as it is just a perfect family film that is wonderfully childlike and innocent. We could stand to have "Red Balloon" days in every school, lower to upper, which end in discussions about what bullying looks like. April 26, 2008. Thank you for your support. Wondering if The Red Balloon is OK for your kids? The critical consensus reads: " The Red Balloon invests the simplest of narratives with spectacular visual inventiveness, making for a singularly wondrous portrait of innocence." In a world where far too much is overemphasized or explained nearly to death, a film such as The Red Balloon is a rare and invigorating pleasure. I am a 15-year-old boy, and I will respect your ratings no longer. Find more movies that help kids build character. Browse titles with similar subject matter. The film is presented on a single-layer disc and the transfer is in PAL format. A classic short film and a beloved children's story, Albert Lamorisse's Le Ballon Rouge (1956) radiantly celebrates the ability of a child's imagination to take flight. w/The Criterion Collection) (DVD) -- ASIN: B0012Z361M As I write this on 16-Apr-2008, [But See Below!] An adult watching The Red Balloon will not find it difficult to see the title character as a symbol of spirituality, friendship, love, transcendence, the triumph of good over evil, or any of the countless other things that a simple, round red balloon can represent. The star rating reflects overall quality. this DVD has not yet been released, so I obviously am not reviewing the actual DVD itself. Other than some older kids chasing him (doesn't that happen on every playground in the world at all ages??) Join now. This is considered by many to be a "classic" short film. Newly restored and available for the first time on DVD, Albert Lamorisse’s exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children's films of all time. It is centers on sixteen year-old Ilse Klein and her older brother, Wolf Klein, two Jewish, German-American youths living in 1943. The story is quite simple and straightforward, without the structural complexities of modern Hollywood productions. How is color used in other movies? The Red Balloon, Cincinnati: See 3 unbiased reviews of The Red Balloon, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #879 of 1,967 restaurants in Cincinnati. However, the quick turn of events prevented it from being draggy and made the parallelism tolerable. Captivating. In this deceptively simple, nearly wordless tale, a young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. What in the world is there to object to a... Beautiful lesson in friendship for young and old. A gang of older boys chases the boy down, captures the balloon, and takes it to an abandoned place where they torment it with rocks and slingshots. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. RedBalloon (Service): 1.7 out of 5 stars from 314 genuine reviews on Australia's largest opinion site ProductReview.com.au. 5 Tips to Make Family Movie Night a Success. With Pascal Lamorisse, Sabine Lamorisse, Georges Sellier, Vladimir Popov. The Red Balloon is a 1956 live-action family fantasy short film which is one of the most well regarded shorts ever and rightfully so as it truly is a classic.. THE RED BALLOON won an Oscar for best original screenplay, competing against the feature-length JULIE, THE BOLD AND THE BRAVE, Federico Fellini's LA STRADA and William Rose's THE LADYKILLERS. © Common Sense Media. The two become inseparable, yet the world’s harsh realities finally interfere. Perfect for any kid old enough to understand it. Video The quality of the restored image for The Red Balloon is remarkable. Well, on a more universal level, love or violence. The boy and the balloon form a tight bond, inseparable, innocent and quite frankly endearing. Eye For Film >> Movies >> The Red Balloon (1956) Film Review The Red Balloon. I loved this book. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. By. The Red Balloon has a short running time and minimal dialogue. Why is this an important character strength? Older kids will be able to read more into it and offer some mind-blowing insights. Why? Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Rewatch Value 5.0. What do your kids think that statement is about? The edition reviewed here is the single disc edition of Flight of the Red Balloon. How does the boy demonstrate perseverance in The Red Balloon? I don't see why this is rated 7+??? It's as alive as the boy is. Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. THE RED BALLOON rescued by a small Parisian lad will transform his life in unbelievable ways. The Spy with the Red Balloon is the second book in The Balloonmakers series and written by Katherine Locke. Winner of an Academy Award in 1956 for Best Original Screenplay, as well as the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prize and, most impressively, the 1968 Best Film of the Decade Educational Film Award, THE RED BALLOON is a tender and charming film all ages can benefit from seeing and talking about. A gang of older kids chases a boy around Paris, determined to steal and destroy his balloon. I can handle the truth. Reviewed by: Caro Ness. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. While the boy tries to rescue it, the balloon grows weary-looking, settles to the ground, and is stomped on, signaling a peculiar call to arms. The parable unfolds in carefully plotted images and beguiling actions that give the balloon more personality than some A-list actors. This edition is region-free. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 95% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on twenty reviews. Here's the story: A young boy (Pascal Lamorisse) untangles a bright red balloon from a lamppost and tries to give it away, but the balloon returns to him. Real live action without editing tricks. Directed by Albert Lamorisse. Families can talk about their interpretations of the film, especially regarding what the balloon might represent. The Red Balloon & White Mane is released in the UK by Network to accompany their release of Hou Hsiao-hsien’s modern tribute Flight of the Red Balloon. Made by fans in Auckland, New Zealand. By the red balloon's death, a swarm of other balloons lifts the little boy above his feet and carries him above the ground to cheer him up, like what brothers would do. All the other children want this balloon also, yearning to live in a higher social class. See something that needs to be addressed? 12 years ago. How can you give this a 7+? If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. I'm trying to work out a war allegory but it seems more plausible that this is a conceit of childhood and innocence. See our. Ask a dozen children who've seen this film what the balloon represents, and you might get a dozen answers. Top Critic. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Get fun, free Holiday Gratitude activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, In a world where far too much is overemphasized or explained nearly to death, a film such as, Set limits for violence and more with Plus. Review: The Red Balloon. Published. The story of a boy and his toy, The Red Balloon is widely praised for its narrative and visual "purity," but not enough is said about the movie's delightful manipulation. A red balloon with a mind of its own follows a little boy around the streets of Paris. Families can talk about the fact that, as with White Mane (1952), writer/director Albert Lamorisse's earlier short film, a statement is being made in The Red Balloon about the darker side of human nature. © Letterboxd Limited. The adults are resentful of its presence, just as the working class were of the middle class in France. Mobile site. By the red balloon's death, a swarm of other balloons lifts the little boy above his feet and carries him above the ground to cheer him up, like what brothers would do. Visually appealing. It follows him to school where, dodging playfully out of reach, it escapes the groping hands of the other children and gets the boy in trouble. In terms of its correlation to the French flag, brotherhood or the bourgeoisie which both work in this case. Because it is a rare masterpiece. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. “The Red Balloon” is actually a French film short that was released in the 1950’s. Although it's a beautiful story about the bond that develops between a young boy and a magical red balloon, there isn't much in the way of a directly positive message. 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