Ethel & Ernest

[kevinknapman]

At the Picturehouse Central this morning for the member's free screening of Ethel & Ernest, a (mostly) gentle and moving animation based on the graphic novel by Raymond Briggs which detailed the relationship between his parents.

By Briggs own admission, delivered in voiceover as live footage of him sketching his parents plays at the beginning, Ethel and Ernest weren't a particularly unique couple, nor was their life especially dramatic (beyond the same drama that many experienced during WWII) but this is still a moving and fascinating animation depicting a typical relationship from the late 20s to the early 70s.
Nor does Briggs sentimentalise the inevitable end of the relationship, depicting death in a surprisingly matter of fact manner.

Beautifully animated in that familiar Briggs style, with fantastic voice acting courtesy of Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn, there's little revolutionary here but as a depiction of a relationship and the major historical events that went on around it, it's a wonderful experience.
Well worth seeing

[alanwaston]

Who doesn't remember reading The Snowman as a child, or seeing the adaptation on TV? The graphic novels by Raymond Briggs (Father Christmas, When the Wind Blows, The Bear) have all been praised in one way or the other.

Directed by Roger Mainwood (The World of Peter Rabbit & Friends), the animated version brings the award winning graphic novel to life. It's an intimate and affectionate depiction of the life and times of the writers' parents, two ordinary Londoners living through extraordinary events. From their first meeting in 1928 to their deaths in 1971. Briggs, 82 now, was involved during the whole process.

Ethel and Ernest, the characters, are voiced by Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn. Other cast members are Pam Ferris, Luke Treadaway, Roger Allam, Virginia McKenna, Peter Wight and Alex Jordan.

I can't hide the fact that I'm in love with the animation itself, extremely charming. And it looks like a true adaption of this story, both respecting the source material and the creator himself.


Relax more: country ringtones, sms ringtones, starboy ringtone

[Florence1]

I saw this on catch up after a friend recommended it. I can't believe what a fantastic delightful piece of animation it is and yet with such adult themes. The story is so simple and has one laughing and then crying by the end when the story tells the inevitable death of Ethel and Ernest. The animation itself is charming and the characterisation is brilliant. If you didn't manage to watch this over Christmas try and get it on catch up as it is well worth seeing.

[Beate]

I missed it in the cinema but watched it on TV, and I thought it was lovely.

[prettyxcool]

I missed it in the cinema but watched it on TV, and I thought it was lovely.

I too missed it at the cinema and saw it on TV.

It was delightful, but sad. Raymond Briggs is my line manager's neighbour, and who first told me to look out for it

[Frisky99]

This charming film really demonstrates the power of animation.