At the central square of a picturesque Italian village, a bright-eyed little girl is anxious to toss her last gold coin in the fountain to make a wish, while a talented one-man-band street performer plays a cheerful tune. But just when the girl is ready to drop her coin in the busker's rusty cup, another flamboyant contestant steps in, desirous of her attention. Inevitably, this is going to be a music showdown like none other, nevertheless, the coin is only one. Written by Nick Riganas
One Man Band is simply one of the best shorts ever produced. The minute I saw it I was enchanted and knew I had found my favorite Pixar short to date. Pixar's meticulous attention to detail is conveyed in the brilliance of the story and the craftsmanship of the animation. The short plays like a silent film. No dialogue. Just pantomime. It tells the story of two street musicians trying to compete for the gold coin of a young peasant girl who just wants to cast it in the town square's wish fountain. A simple story told with lots of wit and humor. Plus, there's a twist. It doesn't end the way you think it will. As always, the animation is spot-on and very impressive. The character designs are so cute and appealing. The sound quality is top notch. And the surrounding Renaissance world is a feast of warm colors and visual beauty. It's funny, original, and clever. Proves the simplest ideas are often the best. If I have one complaint about One Man Band is that it isn't longer in length. I was hoping for more! Great addition to the Cars DVD!