Over 3,000 movies viewed, within seven different theatres, over the course of fifteen years. That is mine own claim of… (accomplishment?) as a semi-dedicated movie reviewer. Alas, that is fifteen years gone by now.
Now, all these years later, it is a challenge to find a film that is engaging and holds interest. After a few thousand films you’ve literally seen it all. Becoming deeply familiar with every film genre, keen to potential plot twists and aware of that “surprise ending” about 10 minutes after the opening credits. It is disheartening and everyone insists you remain in a constant state of “STFU” during the viewing of anything.
But every rare now and then something comes along… or should we say flows by?
Recently some such something did, a 2024 adventure film titled- “Flow”. Things you should know about Flow. It’s a full-length animated feature that is not filled with bright colored characters geared toward the goal of entertaining or quelling young minds. There is nothing offensive mind you, but this goes beyond the depth of Studio Ghibli material in content, message and meaning.
Within the Flow we follow the life of the main protagonist, a nameless cat. Transversing what appears to be a post-apocalyptic world. In which global water levels are drastically rising and rapidly flooding the landscape. Along the way forming bonds with a bizarre array of other species- a Labrador Retriever, a capybara, a secretary bird, a ring-tailed lemur and a whale, in order to survive.
There is no forgoing explanation, nor narration to the story at any point in the film. There are no famous or semi-famous names tagged to vocals to make it more appealing. There are no humans, and the animals do not speak… other than actual animal noises. The tale itself naturally unfolds through imagery and feeling as opposed to over complicated plot devices.
That later point and the lack of unnecessary dialogue is what is truly inspiring. You’re not told exactly what’s going on because all that matters is that it is going on. You don’t have cute talking animals with award winning vocals, comical humanlike qualities and humorous animated anecdotes to entertain and distract you from the stories theme. Because in reality animals don’t speak human, act human (even at the end of the world) and there’s nothing funny or entertaining about drowning in a dying world.
Wow, I am- so not doing a good job of selling you on seeing this movie.
Hold on Mr. Chainsaw. Are you saying there’s no autistic buck-toothed tow truck or anal-retentive space man action figure character we can relate to? And that everything isn’t carefully explained and laid out in an idiot proof format? So, we’re expected to figure out or just guess what’s going on?
Seriously? In real time can you truly relate the depth of your life wholly to pixelized creations? In reality, in the face of a disaster, would everyone be aware of the cause and what is actually going on? There is connection to be found with the characters within the realm of the Flow. It’s not base-line personalities or surface emotional reactions, but symbolized on a much deeper level.
As to the lack of explanation for the situation, this is another rare aspect to this film that shines through. Because though the situation is presented with breathtaking visualizations it is irrelevant and is constantly changing. Just like life. And in watching you must try to learn, as our cat with no name does during the course of the film, to simply go with the flow.
So why go with the flow?
Put simply- because you have to. Outside this movie’s hour and a half runtime the flow is life. The constantly flowing and unfolding all around all of us. It’s not a part of us, but rather we are part of it. You can resist and try to be a metaphorical stone in the stream. But it will only bring you despair and disappointment. It’s far better to go with the flow and see where life takes you.
Hopefully you will experience this film. Some of you will lose interest without definitive direction and decide it’s not for you, and that’s okay. On the other hand some will relate, become emersed, feel enlightened and step into and go with the flow.
I welcome almost all questions, comments via Focus, or email me at wanderingchainsaw@gmail.com. Hope to hear from ya, until then try and stay focused! See ya.
