In the animated spectacle "Flow", a charming black cat with glowing amber eyes bravely navigates a peculiar world. The cat cleverly steals a fish from a group of less alert dogs and hightails it with its prize. This digitally generated world, crafted by visionary animator Gints Zilbalodis, is accentuated by the absence of human life, yet their imprint is unmissable.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn as a massive flood, possibly implying human-induced climate change, instigates a rush of wild creatures in the opposite direction. The cat instinctively reacts, mirroring the iconic scene from the "Lion King", as a torrential wave pursues the fleeing deer. Shortly, the forest is submerged, with the cat struggling to maintain buoyancy.
This opening sequence of over four minutes is expertly created by Zilbalodis and would be impossible to achieve in live action. Despite advanced technologies such as drones, the camera's nimbleness in capturing the cat's escape contributes to an immediate connection between audiences and the feline.
"Flow" could not have been created through any other medium other than animation. Zilbalodis's hypnotic style brings forth the detailed intricacies of the animated world and displays an immediate connection between the audience and the feline protagonist. Post the solitary making of the 2017 indie hit "Away", "Flow" signifies a group effort and this is evident as the cat's survival hinges on other species that it encounters during its adventure.
An array of creatures assist the cat throughout its journey. Despite the creatures not speaking in the film, they have peculiar behaviors, like commandeering an abandoned sailboat. Their silence represents the clear departure from the anthropomorphic style of American cartoons while the entire narrative plays out as a human allegory.
Challenging the movie's fundamentals is the task of understanding the motivations and emotions of the animals with constricted expressions. The film focuses on a lone creature learning to trust others while emphasizing on detailed environments over character development. With a large team supporting Zilbalodis, one could anticipate more nuanced animal performances. Instead, "Flow" appears more like a high-resolution video game or an appealing screensaver, where the animals are suspended against entrancing landscapes. Consequently, this makes the entire film feel more artificial, possibly defying the physics-based principles of CGI.
Despite "Flow" appearing aesthetically pleasing, its lack of expressionistic style highlights the technological shortcomings. The film's graphics feel ancient, yet commendable in its own regard. The visual experience gives the sensation of being lost in an Uncanny Valley filled with water.
However, the bond between the cat and its diverse companions is almost instantaneous for animal-loving viewers. The nameless star of "Flow", with its enchanting golden eyes, integrates all sorts of adorable feline behaviors in its epic journey, which is irresistible. Viewers are rewarded with a satisfactory glimpse of one character's fate at the very end of this tale of empathy and survival.
