Sometimes the simplest things have the most impact. This film isn't anything extravagant, it's not epic, and it's not
showy or grand on any scale. It probably won't change the way you see the world now, since the Iranina Revolution is long
past. And it probably won't move you to tears or make you really think about life and the world now. But it doesn't have
to do so, and I don't think this film is trying to. Which is one reason I believe it is so good. It doesn't try to push
anything on you, it doesn't try to force ideas or political views down your throat, and it doesn't try to change your way
of thinking. It simply gives you the history of a young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution and how it affected
her life and how her life changed during the war.
The animation is
brilliant: simple black and white drawings with very little detail added to them. They match the drawings for the graphic
novels which this film is based off of and the carry over from novel to film is matched perfectly bit for bit. The film is
flashback, and the modern-day parts are done partly in color, which is a little strange compared to the stark black and white,
but it works and helps distinguish which part Marjane is remebering and which parts are recent. I love how honest and simple
and sincere the drawings are. At times they can be very funny, and at others shocking and disturbing, much like the film
itself. The film incorporates both books and thankfully doesn't change or alter very much. I HATE it when a book gets drastically
changed when it goes from paper to film. Granted, some things should probably get changed no matter what, but some films
change A LOT and there is little resemblance between the film and book in the end. Why make a movie about a book if you're
going to change practically the entire thing?
No more ranting.
Since this is an animated film, I can't comment on acting or anything like that. The music is good, ethnic Iranian music
which only accompanies the film and doesn't really become a part of it. It's not that it's bad, it's just that with some
films the music tells the films story as it goes along and with others it is simply there. This is the latter. The music
is just there. There are a few clips of modern music, particularly Iron Maiden (whoda thunk?) which coincides with a couple
of the war scenes. It's brilliant. I suppose the directing is good, but I don't know how you would grade directing in an
animated film; it's not as obvious as it is in a live action film, as you would expect. As was mentioned before, the film
is both hysterical (especially little Marji's facial expressions) and depressing (a movie about war is bound to be depressing,
especially when given from the point of view of a ten year old). I think the simple animation and the point of view of the
story help it to have a strong impact. The movie kind of expects you to know a little bit about the revolution beforehand,
which is a little troublesome, because if you don't you kind of have to piece things together on your own. But at the same
time this is from the point of view from a child who doesn't know really what's going on and doesn't understand. We don't
know what she doesn't know, and the audience comes to better understand as she does. You don't need to do research before
you go, though, and you'll be fine if you have a limited knowledge of the war before you go. And you also don't need to have
read either book before you go, either, which is also good.
On a
side note, this movie is in French, but it's subtitled. It doesn't matter though, really. I heard that there is an English
dubbed version too, but I don't think that that version would be as good and I am pretty sure I would't like it as much.
I could go on and on about how wonderful this film is and what I love about it
and how good it is and all the scenes that made me laugh and which ones were the best, etc., but then this would be really,
really long. Just to put it simply, this film is absolutely totally awesome and I love it. I love the books and I love the
film. It's a little elusive; I haven't seen it playing at many theaters. But if you get a chance I very highly recommend
this. It might not be very moving, or very emotional, or even very fun (you won't leave the theater wishing you could go
galavanting throught this film as you might 'Pirates' or 'Star Wars') but it is a thousand times better and more interesting
than any of those. You won't regret catching this one in a theater.
Best
moment: Little Marji marching around her living room chanting 'Down with the Shah!' while her parents sigh in exasperasion.
It's too funny.
Worst moment: It's not really a bad moment, and there's nothing wrong with it, but the 'Eye of the
Tiger' montage threw me for a loop and seemed a little awkward and out of place. But it's nothing major.
Best quote:
Unfortunately, I know there are so many good ones, but I can't remember any of them. Shame on me.
Why you should
see it: It's really really good. The animation is fantastic, it's funny, sad, and it's just really, really good. And it's
interesting. If you like the books you should see the film; it's a fantastic adaptation.
Why you shouldn't: It's
foreign (Frrench) so that might put you off (though it shouldn't). Some people might not be interested in this sort of film
either. Which is a little sad, but true.
