The Day Of Crows (Le Jour des Corneilles) Review
The Day of the Crows tells the story of gangly inquisitive young boy, raised in a forest by his overprotective and aggressive Father, Pumpkin. Pumpkin tells his son there is no life in the world beyond the forest they live in, and that if he leaves the forest he will simply, disappear. However, through his own curiosity the boy, Pumpkin Jnr slowly starts to realise that everything is not as his Father tells him it is, and that there is life beyond the forest. This is the beginning of a spectacular adventure that will change both Father and Son forever…..
With its sweeping vistas and animal headed forest spirits, ‘The Day of the Crows’ feels very inspired by the work of Studio Ghibli.
However crucially, ‘The Day of the Crows’ uses European folklore as its key reference point and as such it creates its own identity. This is a film that is primarily about a Father/Son relationship, yet it also touches on the theme of the wilderness, and man’s relationship to it. It evokes a great atmosphere not just through its visuals but through its great score too. The backgrounds are stunning with an incredible depth of field. They are superbly detailed and the art direction is spot on. Both the worlds of the forest and the town are brilliantly evoked, helping to make this feel like a fully realised world.
The film wisely centres itself around a few characters that are all fleshed out and likable. The central relationship between Father and Son is well played out and leads to a surprising payoff that is both satisfying and emotional.
The film touches on themes of love, loss, friendship are evokes these in a way that does not feel tacked on or preachy. There is a great sense of humour, particularly from the central character PumpkinJnr and he comes across as naïve but likable. He is a character you want to see succeed in his quest to become his own person. The girl he befriends, Manon, is equally sweet and beguiling and their friendship helps lighten the film, and contrasts perfectly with the more serious Father/Son relationship which lies at the heart of the film. The pacing is great considering there is very little action. I was easily swept away by the beauty and simplicity of it from its dramatic opening to its wondrous, rather moving finale.
Overall this is a beautiful, very sweet film and while the Studio Ghilbi comparisons do stand, that is a complement rather than a criticism. ‘The Day of the Crows’ ultimately emerges as its own film, with its own voice.
