• Release year: 2024
• Director: Gints Zilbalodis.
• Producers: Ron Dyens, Matiss Kaza, Gregory Zalcman, and Gints Zilbalodis.
• Screenplay by: Gints Zilbalodis and Matiss Kaza.
• Cinematography by: Gints Zilbalodis.
• Composers: Rihards Zalupe and Gints Zilbalodis.

Shotgun Commentary: an adorable glimpse into the future of Earth after mankind is gone.

Review

Flow follows an adorable black cat, Cat, as he tries to survive in a world where the water levels rise by the minute. A tale of never-ending improvisation where the protagonist learns about trust, empathy, and the power of a pack. Wonderfully simple yet astonishingly effective in getting to your heart, this heart-warming tale is definitely one worth watching.

Adventure and morality

When Cat’s peaceful existence is interrupted by a great flood that submerges his home, he’s forced to face the Waterworld (1995) reality in which he’s going to be forced to live in. Luckily, he meets a few animals from different species and travels with them on a boat that gives him the opportunity, not only to survive, but to actually live. Each of the animals in the boat has their own quirks and personality, creating a unique environment where all of them learn to respect each other’s “weirdness” in favour of a mostly peaceful coexistence.

The notion of community and putting the common good before the individual needs and prejudices is a lesson humans have yet to learn. The lack of this principle will very likely be our downfall. Luckily, maybe animals learn from those mistakes and start behaving like this strange pack of survivors.

Overall, the story brings up plenty of moral lessons and tests that encourage the viewer to think about what their decisions would be if faced with the same situations that Cat encounters, and to think about what their answers say about them.

There is one particular moment where the characters face a question of morality versus reason, a moment where they need to react fast and choose between their gut or their heart. This moment is particularly interesting because there is one morally obvious answer, but its potential consequences might make you rethink your answer. Moments like these give the feature an unexpected depth that makes the experience not only entertaining but also a great opportunity for self-discovery and introspection.

A wondrous work of art

As for the animation, it is hard to describe just how beautiful it is. The use of colours is harmonic and calm-inducing, the detail to the environment’s textures is gorgeous, and the lack of hard edges brings a sensation of peace both to your eyes and your mind. This is not to say that the film is all tranquil or still by any means.

However, the aesthetics work in favour of the storytelling as they enhance each moment without taking away the protagonist of the action itself. There are breathtaking locations where the old world is flooded, terrifying moments in the depths of the water, and stressful scenes where one can’t help but be hypnotised by the incredible animation of the rough waters.

Walking the walk, and meowing the talk

Still, Flow’s most special feature is its complete lack of dialogues. There is a long tradition in cinema trying to get animals to talk. Whether that is by training animals to look like they’re talking and then adding voice over, or creating horrible to somewhat-believable mouth movements with CGI, or using full animation directly, filmmakers who work with animals seem obsessed with making those animals do unnatural things.

Flow breaks with this tradition by keeping animals as they are, no speaking abilities included. This great respect towards the animal kingdom is also quite handy in terms of distribution, as there are no language requirements further than those to improve accessibility.

All in all, Flow is a really clever feature that brings up huge subjects in the most innocent way possible: through the eyes of an animal in almost constant peril. The characters are unique and enthralling in their own ways, and the story flows (pun unintended) harmoniously until it reaches its conclusion. There is nobody one can’t recommend this film to, it is absolutely perfect.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Waterworld would’ve been so much better with cats.
• Don’t mess with big birds, they are savage.
• Films that don’t rely on dialogue are the most accessible and creative works.

What’s your take? Have you watched Flow? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀