It's Such a Beautiful Day Review
Monday, July 6, 2015
Are stick-figures supposed to make you feel this way?!
When it comes to watching a film that has been made in recent times, there are only a few exceptions that tend to stick in your head after you've watched it. Arguably these films either tend to be the ones that have an interesting story concept like Inception or films that have big entertainment value whether it's from a comedy flick, a Disney/Ghibli animation or a Superhero/Action epic. However after watching Don Hertzfeldt's feature film debut of It's Such a Beautiful Day, this has been one of those films where after watching it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Not only is the animation original and simplistic which over time changes into something you didn't think would work, but underneath it all lies a delicious contrast between Hertzfeldt's droll humor/narration and the serious philosophical musings which on a level questions your own sanity.
It's Such a Beautiful Day which is comprised of three short films, of which were released between the years of 2006-2011, is an hour long feature that details the life, perspective and ancestry of Bill; a nondescript stick-man who suffers from a mental deliberating illness.
Although at first glance the animation style has a minimalist motif backed up with a simplistic pencilled in stick-figures and later uniquely changes to a fractured splotched split screens which is later contrasted with live-action footage, Hertzfeldt in terms of the themes of the narrative, manages to dig deep into the bleakest caverns of the psyche of the human condition whilst also pointing out it's silver linings. While there is a liberating stream of conscience narrating from Hertzfeldt which can come across as omnipotent, there is a nice blend of monochrome comedy that contrasts well with the philosophical expressions such as when we explore Bill's ancestry or when the film alludes to the point that Bill in his later life marries an array of different girls which is told as the norm, in the grimmest fashion.
As the common film viewer, expectantly to watch an animation that is bound to get recognition and be nominated for awards, it will more than likely a film that has been developed by the likes of Disney or Studio Ghibli etc. Upon witnessing It's Such a Beautiful Day for the first time, it has in fact made me believe that independent works like what Hertzfeldt has done here can achieve above and beyond and take recognition. Sure I think that it's easy for me to say that the animation in the first half of the film is traditional simplistic with the stick-figures and how it transitions. Despite that though, what I think the real plaudits go towards is how Hertzfeldt over the course of the film, transforms this simplistic looking drawing into a piece that no one has ever seen before in how he places the stick-figures in Live-action backgrounds. In terms of it relating to the narrative, I think the gradual transition of the animation going towards the Live-action backgrounds help add more personality to the character of Bill especially in the last segment which revolves around Immortality. The segments in which the film tends to appear blotchy as well help to create this idea of Bill being frantic which overall tells us how the animation quirks do tend to offer up some emotional leverage with Bill whether it be humour or sadness.
Truth be told to all, Hertzfeldt has managed to create something that is one of the great outsider artworks produced in this modern day and age. The unbridled creativity, insight and ambition of what It's Such a Beautiful Day establishes is unparalleled. Both hilarious and gut-wrenching in equal measure, the film is overall both inspirational and unique in how in 60 minutes, Hertzfeldt manages to inflict a cardiac event on yourself. After watching this film, unmistakingly you will say to yourself, 'are stick-figures meant to make you feel this way?' If I were you reading, I would implore you to check this out which If you have Netflix, you can easily do so. It's truly an animation that goes onto my top 10 list of best animations I've watched.
Right, and that concludes my review of It's Such a Beautiful Day. As always guys, if you enjoyed reading my latest review, a big thankyou to YOU and lastly, feel free to drop any opinions you have of this film if you've seen it. Once again, thankyou for reading and I'll be back a bit later this week with a film news update and next week where I'll be reviewing the latest Terminator film. Enjoy the read and I'll see you soon!! :)
9/10 - Alex Rabbitte
It's Such a Beautiful Day which is comprised of three short films, of which were released between the years of 2006-2011, is an hour long feature that details the life, perspective and ancestry of Bill; a nondescript stick-man who suffers from a mental deliberating illness.
Although at first glance the animation style has a minimalist motif backed up with a simplistic pencilled in stick-figures and later uniquely changes to a fractured splotched split screens which is later contrasted with live-action footage, Hertzfeldt in terms of the themes of the narrative, manages to dig deep into the bleakest caverns of the psyche of the human condition whilst also pointing out it's silver linings. While there is a liberating stream of conscience narrating from Hertzfeldt which can come across as omnipotent, there is a nice blend of monochrome comedy that contrasts well with the philosophical expressions such as when we explore Bill's ancestry or when the film alludes to the point that Bill in his later life marries an array of different girls which is told as the norm, in the grimmest fashion.
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| So many emotion is a short amount of time... |
Despite there being this continuity of Bill being frantic over his mental well-being, he's a stick-figure that is certainly relatable in this day and age with his fears, dreams and insecurities that he has throughout. The film has a continuous way of depicting the modern day working-class male-loner that it's hard to shake off the disorientating sense of anxiety from watching it due to it's existentialism. This 60 minute experience of a watch is remarkably abrasive from its density; firing off small vignettes of Bill's life in just a few seconds of time, paired with an unnerving use of classical music. Even though it does have this absurd exaggerated take on life, the grounded sense of humour which I found to be up my alley, comes from it's irreverent and idiosyncratic observations of trivial social faux pas. Probably what this feature gives off is this powerful message of morality. Among all the slight digs to the morbid cruelty of which we live our lives as represented with Bill, it manages something deeply poignant and profound in its casualness. In all actuality, It's Such a Beautiful Day, it suggests death as a dumb, awkward stupid moment and in it's irony, it finds comfort. The final passage of the film explores the consequence of immortality, taking a common fantasy among the wishful-thinkers on grand scale in a creative and artistic approach which leads me onto talking about the animation which is honestly like nothing I've witnessed to be seen in a filk feature.
As the common film viewer, expectantly to watch an animation that is bound to get recognition and be nominated for awards, it will more than likely a film that has been developed by the likes of Disney or Studio Ghibli etc. Upon witnessing It's Such a Beautiful Day for the first time, it has in fact made me believe that independent works like what Hertzfeldt has done here can achieve above and beyond and take recognition. Sure I think that it's easy for me to say that the animation in the first half of the film is traditional simplistic with the stick-figures and how it transitions. Despite that though, what I think the real plaudits go towards is how Hertzfeldt over the course of the film, transforms this simplistic looking drawing into a piece that no one has ever seen before in how he places the stick-figures in Live-action backgrounds. In terms of it relating to the narrative, I think the gradual transition of the animation going towards the Live-action backgrounds help add more personality to the character of Bill especially in the last segment which revolves around Immortality. The segments in which the film tends to appear blotchy as well help to create this idea of Bill being frantic which overall tells us how the animation quirks do tend to offer up some emotional leverage with Bill whether it be humour or sadness.
 |
| The transition from Monochrome to Live-Action is executed really well... |
Truth be told to all, Hertzfeldt has managed to create something that is one of the great outsider artworks produced in this modern day and age. The unbridled creativity, insight and ambition of what It's Such a Beautiful Day establishes is unparalleled. Both hilarious and gut-wrenching in equal measure, the film is overall both inspirational and unique in how in 60 minutes, Hertzfeldt manages to inflict a cardiac event on yourself. After watching this film, unmistakingly you will say to yourself, 'are stick-figures meant to make you feel this way?' If I were you reading, I would implore you to check this out which If you have Netflix, you can easily do so. It's truly an animation that goes onto my top 10 list of best animations I've watched.
Right, and that concludes my review of It's Such a Beautiful Day. As always guys, if you enjoyed reading my latest review, a big thankyou to YOU and lastly, feel free to drop any opinions you have of this film if you've seen it. Once again, thankyou for reading and I'll be back a bit later this week with a film news update and next week where I'll be reviewing the latest Terminator film. Enjoy the read and I'll see you soon!! :)
9/10 - Alex Rabbitte