The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse 2022

It is clear that the production team for this film worked hard to honor Charlie's perfect book. I love the animated watercolor look. Just as the book should be read every few months—certainly each year—this film should be watched over and over. What a treasure!

Very very pretty, and not much else. A succession of sentimental monologues and messages without much build up, but it's a children's story. Can't fault it too much for telling kids they are loved and to be kind and such, however blunt or clumsy.

OMG! There's so much beauty in this short film. The animation technique es marvelous, and the story is just beautiful and full of excellent reflections. The 32 minutes better spent in such a long time.

A delightful escape…if only for a few minutes

Being honest is always interesting.

Mole: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Boy: "Kind."

For a short animated movie, it made a huge impact. One of the wholesome things I've seen in a while. Although, some of the dialogue sounded like mouthpieces from a self-help book. But still, it is used so effectively.

However, one part that eventually made me cry was when a quiet Fox finally speaks up to the group and says he doesn't say much because he feels afraid he doesn't have much to say in a group. I've been in situations like that, the feeling of pressure and not belonging, so it was moving for me to see it portrayed in this story.

The whole movie felt like it was coming from a grown-up who is so miserable and worthless in this world that retracting back to a child-like self is a way to find escapism and reflect on childhood when it was much simple and happier times.

But that's just what I got from it.

I highly recommend it. Beautiful animation.

Very pretty! Really loads on the "you are loved" type of messages though

every once in a while you come across a movie or show that feels like it was precision-engineered in a laboratory to be the antithesis of what you enjoy

The dialogue was unnatural. It was just a series of platitudes and affirmations aimed at young children. I guess if you're a young child or a parent this short film might be good entertainment but I found it laughably bad.

Fascinating in its graphic style, deeply touching in the dialogues and words, every emotion is accompanied by an impactful soundtrack that as a whole depicts in all its simplicity an incredibly current, formative and gentle story.

a lovely and sincere film. highly recommend!

What is the bravest thing you've ever said? asked the boy.
'Help,' said the horse.
'Asking for help isn't giving up,' said the horse. 'It's refusing to give up.

I can't stop crying. This is one of the most beautiful short flims I have ever seen. The animation is incredible and all the reflections during the story are soul touching.

A beautiful movie. I almost dropped a tear a few times.

"Ok, Tom, we'd like to pitch you a role. You'd play a mole." —"Oooh, I love spy thrillers!" —"No, no, the small, burrowing mammal. A mole. From the garden. You know." —"Oh."
Well, Tom Hollander's voice should get an award for his fine personification of the wise mole. As to the story, well, it's from a children's book and the film is targeted at children, so many adults feel it's a bit trite or preachy. There is no doubt that the film benefits from a big budget production, given the talent, the music, etc, which shows in a slick, professional looking product.
The basic story reminds me of The Wizard of Oz, in its lone, lost child on a quest to get home, helped by three companions, each with his own character quirks — but here everyone has a heart and a brain.

If I had seen the film around Christmas time, I might have liked it more. I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind. The animation style is beautiful, but the story is way too cheesy for my taste. There is an overabundance of seemingly meaningful speeches, to the point where rolling my eyes gave me a headache. Perhaps the short has a good and important message for children, but I was bored throughout.

Platitudes: The Book: The Movie

Stunning art and animation. I did not get the book. I felt the same about this short.

beautiful backgrounds and great character animations but the story was not for me