Michael Dudok de Wit’s animated film achieves something remarkable: a straightforward story evolves into an insightful look at how people endure and ultimately accept what is. The movie conveys a message that applies to everyone—that we find ourselves exactly where we should, even when it feels limiting—and it does so without any dialogue. The plot centers on a man stranded on a remote island who desperately wants…

It’s the combination of natural scenery and orchestral scores—a unique blend—that makes this film something special and enduring. I strongly suggest watching it simply out of a sense of wonder.

A man is stranded on a tropical island after a shipwreck, with nothing but coconuts and playful animals to keep him company. He’s not prepared for this new existence and slowly begins to suffer from hunger! The question becomes, what can he do? He tries constructing a raft, but each attempt results in it being destroyed shortly thereafter. Following one of these failures, he believes that a beautiful sea turtle he's …

This movie, The Red Turtle, doesn't have any spoken conversations, which might not appeal to everyone. But I think it really worked well with the overall feel of the story. It’s a fantasy film that portrays love in its most honest and uncomplicated form. Seeing it made me long for my own family. The conclusion is intentionally vague, but this just adds to the intrigue as you consider what the Red Turtle actually repr…

The need for purpose is something inherent to people. Since Hollywood shifted its focus to 3D animation, other regions have stepped up and produced some truly remarkable films over the past decade and a half. Japanese anime remains exceptional, but European animation, especially 2D work, has recently gained prominence, with Tomm Moore receiving particular recognition. Consequently, I might miss out on some Hollywo…