Set in an alternate reality earth where animals take the place of humans, a lonely dog orders a robot companion to go through life. Everything is going great until they go to the beach on the last day of summer and he ends up rusty and can’t leave. Due to the beach being closed the next day the dog cannot get him back until season reopening next Summer. The dog goes on with his life and the robot dreams on the sand.

This is based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon but seems to be an adapted story from what is in the book. I am not sure what is actually in the story as I have not read it. I will have to check it out if it is anything like the movie.

There is no actual dialogue in the movie but the characters still manage to convey emotions through their actions. The robot does not even talk but does eventually end up whistling a tune. All the characters are interesting in their own way. Strangely even though animals are sentient in this universe they still eat each other. Maybe that is bringing too much thought into it is a throwaway thing.

This certainly is the nicest movie I have seen this year and indeed a while. With all the stress and worry in the world these days sometimes it is good to get away and it was worth me rushing out at the end of the previous documentary I was at and missing the Q&A to see this.

What I also liked that this feels like a story that continues afterwards and you can always get the graphic novel if you want to see more of it. Not sure if they will ever do a streaming show for it but is nice to have.

Film details:

Director: Pablo Berger

Producers: Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Jérôme Vidal, Sandra Tapia

Screenwriters: Pablo Berger, Sara Varon

Composer: Alfonso de Vilallonga

Editor: Fernando Franco

Premiere Status: Australian Premiere

Distributor: Madman Entertainment

Origin: France, Spain (2023)

Animation, Europe & UK | Feature

Language: No Dialogue

Genre: Animation

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi4UlUD4UDw