MOVIE REVIEW: "Bao" (2018)
Synopsis: Suffering from the absence of the child, a mother returns to see meaning in life when one of the cookies she prepared comes alive. She then begins to take care of the creature giving her all the love and affection. But, unexpectedly, it grows and gains independence, leaving its creator sadden once more.
For a lot of reasons, the world of short films is still often subjugated by many people as projects that don't have as much impact on their demand for time on screen... Mainly because this audience felt the need for a time greater so that stories can be developed in a more complete way.
However, Bao (one of Pixar's most recent animations) is able to change that view easily and clearly shows how much a movie can be so fascinating and say so much in less than 10 minutes.
The plot takes place in the city of Toronto (Canada) and accompanies a Chinese-Canadian woman who one day decides to make a dumpling and the same - without further explanation - ends up coming to life. Since then, you begin to raise him as a real baby. It grows and goes through the other phases in the life of a human being until it is time to leave the house and the story takes an unexpected turn.
Amid several punctual moments filled with sentimentality and emotion, the script deals specifically with two very important themes: the solitude of the human being and the syndrome of the empty nest. Using the playful way to tell a story with all the symbolism it needs to demonstrate, the narrative invests in many affective memories that capture the feeling of nostalgia in a large part of the ease with a certain ease.
Whether it be for mothers, fathers or sons and daugthers... The film deals above all with the personal growth of people (something that in itself is extremely complex and challenging). Human beings who, as citizens of the world, nourish the idea that one day one must leave his parents' house and get the most out of what is scattered around the four corners of the planet.
Within this scenario the story is being built calmly and explores the relationship between mother and son in an organic way, doing it with an atmosphere that mixes realism and surrealism with a touch that is very engaging and that makes the experience of watching this movie something even more captivating (mainly by the simplicity in the smallest details that are seen on the screen).
Directed and written by Domee Shi (who, by the way, did a great job presenting and highlighting the key points that somehow touch the soul of the audience), the film was the winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film of that year. The prize couldn't have been fairer, considering the breadth of its quality and the power of reflection that it has in its essence.
Without obviously forgetting his technical qualities (after all ... we are talking about a Pixar work), CGI's work is sensational and the realism is to fill our eyes because the traits that give life to the so charismatic characters are of enviable precision. Add it to a cozy soundtrack, a well-chosen color palette and a very transparent photograph and you can't go wrong ... It's quality guaranteed!
Bao is that kind of film that gives viewers a sense of well-being with themselves and also a field ready for a solid debate about essential issues in the midst of the maturing of life... That's why it carries with it messages we should keep with us forever and ever, and try to become a better version every day.