By now my well-documented aversion to animated features has been duly noted, but there’s something about this adaptation of Gabrielle Vincent’s book from directors Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar (A Town Called Panic) and Benjamin Renner (A Mouse’s Tale) that lightly tickles my fancy. It could be the sentimental charms of a story about the relationship between a bear named Ernest (voiced by Forest Whitaker in this English version) and a young mouse named Celestine (Mackenzie Foy). The rest of the English language vocal talent includes the likes of Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, Megan Mullally and William H. Macy, which would be a highly recommendable crew for an adult indie drama. Let’s just say, I’m curious. Opens April 18 at Mariemont Theatre. (PG) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2014.
