Home Road Movies

The story of a family of young children who's lives are transformed when their father buys a (in their memory) saloon sports car to take their outings beyond the realm of the local buses. They travel all across Europe in their car, adding camping equipment, stoves, televisions etc to make their holidays amazing when compared to other people's. However as the children become teenagers and the parents age, things change.

This is the story of childhood memories. It is focused on the way that childhood memories are romanticised by both the children and the parents as time goes by. This is well illustrated in the short by the father - at the end, things have changed so much but he still works on his car all the time in an attempt to keep the past alive. The story is told with an exaggerated sense of humour, which helps make the point about the memories - funny scenes include the car touring all of Europe effortlessly and the family running all manner of electrical appliances off the cigarette lighter socket.

The short is a mix of live action and animation - although the live action is shot like animation. This effect is carried well and gives the film an interesting feel. The actor who plays the father is very good and manages to convey heavy emotion despite the semi-animated look and lack of dialogue.

Overall this is inventive and clever. It is different from a lot of other stuff you'll see and the writing is subtle and intelligent. As a comment on how we view our childhood and how hard it is to let go of those idealised times it is very good and has stick in my mind since I saw it. Not bad for a British short made on a shoestring!

Other reviewers have described HOME ROAD MOVIES as " bitter-sweet " and that's a correct description but despite the story being told from the point of view of one of the father's children all my sympathy was firmly with the dad . He's fought in the war ( And lets everyone know it ! ) and because he wants to give his children some happiness in their lives he buys a car and takes them for holidays in Europe . Unfortunately as the children become adolescents they don't think holidaying with their parents is all that exciting and decide to go on their own holidays . As pointed out this is " bitter- sweet " but am I alone in thinking bitter comes more and more to the fore ? The father looks more depressed and fatalistic as the story progresses until one day he makes a trip to hospital alone , yes alone , the narrator who tells the story lets his father take one last one way journey to hospital alone . Children . Who would have them ?

This short, an impressive blend of live-action footage and animation, is a look back on life as a child, done by the adult that child finally became. At turns funny, sweet, charming and monumentally sad, this short captures the reality of childhood: that is, children perceive the world around them markedly different than do adults. The process of growing up changes that perception for most of us. This short makes you think about life, perception and reality. It was nominated for the BAFTA award for Animated Short. More proof (as though any more were needed) that animation isn't just for kids and never has been. Well worth watching. Most recommended.