Film Journal 2023: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Directed by Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy)
Where to watch: Apple TV+
“Life is difficult, but you are loved.”
This beautifully animated film, based on the book by the same name, follows a simple cast of characters who happen to find each other as a small boy searches for home. As the four of them form an unlikely bond, they discover what it means to exist in this world together. The dialgue is intentionally sparse, uncluttered by the noise of uneccessary words. Each phrasing, each truth that emerges with the inevitable knowing that comes from journeying together rings clear and true, with a wonderful score serving as its compliment. It’s a concise 40 minute run time, but it’s got more on its mind then many 2 hour animated films.
The Stories of my Life 