The Red Balloon
1957 ‘Le ballon rouge’ Directed by Albert Lamorisse
Synopsis
In this deceptively simple, nearly wordless tale, a young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable, yet the world’s harsh realities finally interfere. With its glorious palette and allegorical purity, the Academy Award–winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers, young and old, for generations.
Genres
Popular reviews
More-
This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
-
A film that transcends beauty. Albert Lamorisse's classic tale of innocence was made in the 50s, but it possesses a breathtaking visual quality that is equal, if not better, than anything that comes out today. Simply following a young boy and his red balloon and they travel throughout Paris. The boy is played by Lamorisse's son Pascal and his daughter Sabine also appears. It is so simplistic, showing Pascal and the balloon wandering the city like lost orphans, briefly attending school where they get into trouble, exploring street-side art galleries, escaping church, avoiding an army of bullies, and, most importantly, simply indulging in the natural wonders of life. Lamorisse's exuberantly brings the balloon to life with all the characteristics and personality of a young child like Pascal, a glorious embracing of innocence with a touch of tragic honesty and a final dash of fantastic purity.
-
I feel completely heartless for saying this but I just found this short creepy. I can't even begin to explain why. The sad thing is, if it was a Pixar animation then I would have probably loved it; the story was sweet and I loved the final few scenes, but there was just something very sinister about it for me. God knows what was going on in my head when I was watching this!
-
It's hard to compare this alongside the other films I've watched as this is a short film but this could make my all time Top Twenty. It's that good.
Utterly charming, compelling and technically advanced. A brilliant, brilliant film.
-
This film is the perfect example of why Cinema is such an amazing art form. In thirty minutes or so, you are transcended into a world of magic and delight.
The grey and pale atmosphere in the narrow streets of Paris, works as contrast to the shiny, red balloon. The effect is so vivid that the balloon seems to pop from the screen, glowing luminous red against the gray streets and buildings.
The Red Balloon is a simple, but yet brilliant symbolization of dreams, and the cruelty of those who puncture them. One of the best shorts I've ever seen.
-
I love how this little charmer changes pace several times throughout it's short running time. It starts out sweet, with the young boy finding the balloon and walking around Paris with it. Then, it turns into a comedy, when the balloon gets a will of its own, to gradually go over into a chase movie of sorts, as the other jealous kids want his balloon. And then we get that warm, fuzzy ending. Loved it!
Recent reviews
More-
Oh my god...
What I just saw? It was pure film magic! Damn, this is why I love films. The world of Cinema is full of treasures and wonders! Damn, one of the finest short films I've ever seen!
And those final scenes were absolutely breathtaking! Was I dreaming or did I just see film beyond words?
-
Noticed it was on tele just before we started to get ready to go out to see Fast & Furious 6. I've probably never had quite so opposite a "double bill" as that in my life.
The Red Balloon is a short French film that tells the story of a young boy in Paris and his brightly coloured & somewhat sentient helium balloon as it follows him to school and on various mini-adventures.
Reminded me a little bit of a more joyful and whimsical version of the Italian neorealist film from a decade earlier, Bicycle Thieves. Most of what's on display in this short is life for a young child in Paris. A "day in the life," if you like. We see…
-
Beauty in a world of hatred. That is what I've gotten out of this. Isn't it ingenious how many different interpretations this short has?
-
The Red Balloon 101
-
Sweet is the perfect word for this film. The ending filled me with so much joy.
-
a tale of curiosity
-
Una joya de treinta minutos.
-
I don't think I would have watched this film, if it wasn't for Letterboxd and the poster for the film. I found the poster to be very interesting, which features a bland looking world as a un-focused backdrop, but with a boy and his red balloon.
Directed by Albert Lamorisse, there are barely any lines that are spoken in The Red Balloon, but yet conveys many emotions in such short time. Another film that shows cinema at its best as a art form. The visual aesthetic are fantastic and made me want to pause at every single shot. I was always astounded by how they made the balloon do what it does in the short film.
The film's biggest quality…
-
The film equivalent to a really well-done children's book/poem.
Not too sure if I can say that it has a happy ending, though.