As the leaves turn orange and the sun sets earlier, an autumnal comfort movie becomes essential to chase off the seasonal blues. And for that, we have the perfect recommendation: Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wes Anderson’s stop-motion film follows the intriguing Mr. Fox and his animal community as they embark on a series of daring heists, only to be relentlessly hunted by three stingy farmers. The journey the wild animals embark on becomes a discovery of both their wild instincts, and the very human emotions they experience.
At its core, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a tale of relationships, family dynamics, and jealousy, but it is especially an ode to difference and its beauty. It subtly celebrates the necessity of coming together by accepting one another, especially as seen through the evolving relationships of Mr. Fox’s son, Ash, with those around him.
What makes Fantastic Mr. Fox the ultimate autumnal comfort movie is not just the heartfelt story, but also its visual brilliance. The colour palette is a mix of warm autumnal shades of orange, gold, and red, evoking the season’s natural feel. Each frame is meticulously thought out, with Anderson’s signature attention to detail making every shot stand out. The stop-motion animation used to create the film, with handcrafted sets and characters, truly add layers of warmth and texture, something too rarely seen in modern-day animation.
Set in the rustic countryside, and surrounded by fields and farms, the film’s scenery feels tranquil and grounded. The 1950s-inspired costumes and sets evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting viewers into the whimsical and unfamiliar world of foxes and badgers navigating life in the 20th century.
A key reason Fantastic Mr. Fox is a comfort film is its amazing soundtrack. Wes Anderson collaborates with Alexandre Desplat, a French film composer and conductor known for his nostalgic, joyous, mostly instrumental melodic pieces. The two time Oscar and Grammy winner intensely participates in the creation of a comforting ambience. The background music he made isn’t necessarily extremely sophisticated, but it holds a lot of emotion, helping the movie find its profoundness and comforting simplicity.
Finally, if you haven’t already been convinced to get in bed and sip your tea to the movie, accompanying the amazing soundtrack are the astonishing actors that lent their voices to the film. George Clooney, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, or even possibly the greatest of them all, Meryl Streep, all do a brilliant job at portraying the stop-motion characters, giving them complex personalities in only an hour and twenty-six minutes.
“Fantastic Mr Fox” by FAN THE FIRE Magazine is licensed under CC BY 2.0.