THE RABBI’S CAT – SLIFF Review

Like the previously reviewed WRINKLES, this hand drawn French animated feature film is based on a celebrated graphic novel. Here the film makers use the medium to tell more of a whimsical adventure story set a long time ago in a faraway exotic land, 1930’s Algeria to be exact. There resides the simple widowed rabbi Abraham, his blossoming teenage daughter, and his cat. One day the feline suddenly gains the  ability to speak. This astounding feat seems to be the catalyst that sparks a series of escapades. A handsome young Russian artist arrives under unusual circumstances. Soon it’s decided that the young man must find the original tribe of African Jews, They enlist the aid of a displaced Russian aristocrat and his beaten-down vehicle and  they embark, along with a Muslim holy man and his nervous donkey, on a journey into the wilderness. Along  the way they get into spirited religious debates and have to deal with some hot-tempered nomads. Although the story involves a talking feline, this is a not a film for the tiny tots as there’s a scene of bloody violence and a sensual love story involving one of the travelers. The animators have done a remarkable job replicating the style of scratchy pen and ink drawings. The character designs range from exaggerated “bigfoot” types (like the rabbi) to standard semi-realistic (the Russian artist). The movement is smooth and flowing particularly in a couple of sequences done in wild 1930’s “cartoony” style to emphasize the slapstick antics. THE RABBI’S CAT is an engaging colorful comic tale full of compelling characters and surprisingly adult themes.

THE RABBI’S CAT screens as part of the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6:15 PM and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 PM at the Plaza Frontenac Cinemas