Ryan (2004) 7.5
The movie talks about the life of Ryan Larkin, a gifted Canadian animator of the late '60s and the early '70s. Director:Chris Landreth |
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Ryan (2004) 7.5
The movie talks about the life of Ryan Larkin, a gifted Canadian animator of the late '60s and the early '70s. Director:Chris Landreth |
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| 0Share... |
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Ryan Larkin | ... |
Himself - Interview Voice
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| Chris Landreth | ... |
Himself - Interview Voice
(voice)
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Felicity Fanjoy | ... |
Herself - Interview Voice
(voice)
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Derek Lamb | ... |
Himself - Interview Voice
(voice)
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Chris Landreth introduces himself to us in a funky restroom and then introduces the film's subject, Ryan Larkin, a brilliant animator in the 1960s and early 1970s. Chris shows us clips of "Walking" and "Street Musique," Ryan's ground-breaking shorts. We now see Ryan as he is: emaciated, alcoholic, much of his mind gone; we meet Felicity Fanjoy, his love during his creative period, and Derek Lamb, his producer. Ryan talks to Chris in the dining hall of what is probably a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Chris tries an intervention. We follow Ryan out into the street where he panhandles. The animation, which uses live footage, reveals the ravaged burned-out graceful man. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
"Ryan" deserves ever accolade it has received and more. It illuminates. It shines a light on a piece of animation history while putting it into the greater context of one animator's creative journey. It is that rare example of a true animated documentary, using the form to better tell the story, enhancing it. Utilizing the fanciful to better tell the truth.
It has recently become available on DVD for five dollars at www.Filmporium.com. I highly recommend adding this academy-award winner to your library. This is one film that not holds up to, but rewards repeated viewing. The DVD also contains Bill Plympton's "Eat" and the circle-of-life short "Flux" by Chris Hinton.