FILMS

A fantastic and foxy lesson in humility and love

Animated adventure shows why special effects alone don’t cut it

Reviewed by Rebecca Bostic | Nov. 30, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (Fox) is everything a fox should be — clever, quick, graceful and more.

This stop-motion feature, which is directed and written by Wes Anderson and based on the book by Roald Dahl, proves that even when it comes to animation, story and characters are what make a film great. Technological advances don’t always help.

This quirky tale of a cunning Mr. Fox trying to increase his standing and importance in his world is sweet and thoughtful, not to mention rather funny. George Clooney is terrific voicing Mr. Fox but is certainly assisted by the strong cast of vocal talent including Meryl Streep as his wife, Mrs. Fox, and Jason Schwartzman as their son, Ash. The banter between the Fox family is perfectly timed and hilariously constructed.

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” opens with Mr. Fox, a chicken thief, finding out his wife is pregnant with their son. Mrs. Fox asks Mr. Fox to promise he will change his career to something less dangerous than robbery since they have a child on the way.

Mr. Fox agrees at first, but as the film moves forward two years — 12 fox years — we find a Mr. Fox unsatisfied with his career as a journalist.

He decides to buy a house beyond his means so he won’t feel poor any longer. The house is near three farmers — Mr. Boggis, Mr. Bunce and Mr. Bean, who raise chickens, geese and make cider, respectively. All three of them are notoriously unkind.

Mr. Fox decides that to add some excitement, wealth and notoriety to his life he will rob the three farmers. This decision proves disastrous. The angry farmers pursue the Fox family and the entire community of wild animals is endangered because of Mr. Fox’s selfish pursuit.

The message is timely for a culture that is suffering the effects of living beyond one’s means. The tale paints a very clear picture of Mr. Fox as a well-intentioned but prideful character whose selfish decision causes the whole community to lose their homes.

It is only by the end of the film — after a series of life threatening disasters — that Mr. Fox commits to working for the common good and not his own self-promotion.

Pope Benedict XVI preached against the pursuit of pride during a homily in Loreto, Italy, directed at Italian youth in September 2007. He warned the youth to follow the way of humility, not pride:

“Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the ‘alternative’ routes pointed out by true love: a modest and sound lifestyle; sincere and pure emotional relationships; honest commitment in studies and world; deep concern for the common good.”

This is the “true love” Mr. Fox is learning to live. When he’s consumed by his desire for a luxurious lifestyle, he is disinterested in relationship and the common good of his animal community. In the end his priorities are realigned, providing the audience with a nice moral — and entertaining — lesson.

In the midst of the holiday season it may remind audiences that as clever as one may be, it is love, not glory that needs pursuing.

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Media critic Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.