George and Rosemary

So often with romance, it's the first move that is the most important. In this case, our hero, George, totally obsesses over the little lady across the street, Rosemary. He fantasizes over her, plans things, fails, continues to live his sad but decent life. So when push comes to shove, he is unprepared for the result of all his efforts. This is a nice film with a nice pacing, good animation, and a good wrap up.

The elderly "George" lives across the street from the apple of his eye, "Rosemary" - only he hasn't quite got the nerve to ask her out. She seems a rather eccentric lady who puts her goldfish on the veranda when she goes shopping and I have to say that the arrival of her car-load of screeching grandchildren would probably have put me off forever, but "George" is determined to don his finest spotted bow-tie and his smartest shirt, pluck up some courage and take her a bunch of flowers. What might she say, though? It's quite a telling little short, this, that illustrates quite amiably that shyness is not just confined to the young and neither is ineptness. The colourful facial expressions of "George" - especially when he is on the telephone, raises a smile and it's simple artistry works well enough for a ten minutes that treads a fine line between fun and cringe.

This Canadian cartoon was nominated for the 1988 Academy Award for Best Animated Short. It didn't win since THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES was such an astounding film, but this doesn't mean the creators have anything to be ashamed of in losing. THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES is an entirely different style of film--much more like a moving tapestry and at 30 minutes is very different from GEORGE AND ROSEMARY. While much shorter, GEORGE AND ROSEMARY is a very sweet and funny little film about a very lonely but desperately shy man (George) who imagines having a wonderful life with his neighbor (Rosemary) but he's just too shy to ask her out on a date. Watching his dreams and seeing his desperation is quite touching and you really can't help but care for the guy even though he's only a cartoon character--this makes this excellent film making.

The art work is pretty simple but effective for the style of film that it is. The narrator, Cec Linder, sounded an awful lot like Judd Hirsch and the combination of his voice and the music really helped set the mood for this piece.

Overall, while not the very best cartoon of the year, it was amazing and cute. I've seen it a couple times and loved it both times--I'm sure you will, too.

This has got to be one of the most delightful cartoons I have ever seen in my life! It's also quite romantic. George reminds me of Walter Mitty in his daydreams and the pacing and story flow smoothly. The National Film Board of Canada has sheparded many wonderful projects and this is one of their best. The ending is great and I'll never hear the song, Yellowbird, again without smiling. highly recommended!

This short tells the simple life of George. He likes to put ships in jars. He likes to sit on the front porch, and look across the street to maybe get a glimpse of Rosemary. Eventually, George will find the power within him to go and meet Rosemary. A very romantic cartoon, with the music well chosen.

I also liked the animation, the way time goes by. (ex. the moon that comes down like it's a vertical blind).

Out of 100, I give it 83. That's good for *** out of **** stars.

Seen in Sudbury, on December 31st, 2002.