Film

Magical Heroes in 'Desperaux'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Friday, December 19, 2008

The best thing about the holiday season in films is to find a rare and magical film that will uplifts everyone’s spirits – children or adult alike. ‘The Tale of Desperaux’ is such a film. Based on the best-seller story by Katie DiCamillo and guided with imaginative creation by directors Sam Fell (‘Flushed Away’) and Rob Stevenhagen; ‘Desperaux’ is a tale about a brave mouse, a far away kingdom and unlikely heroes.

So it begins as many fairy tales do. Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor but unlike most narrations in a fable the story doesn’t begin with Desperaux right away and instead the audience is introduced to the characters that will eventually delve into the beginning of this tiny mouse’s adventure. Most importantly a set of unhappy events that divide the heroes from the wicked characters – although keep in mind there are no real bad characters in this magical tale. The latter is what makes the ‘Tales of Desperaux’ such a wonderful and great film to watch.

It was also one of the things that attracted Fell and Stevenhagen to the project. The novel’s humanity and smart approach to a children’s fable – children being DiCamillo’s beloved audience – is something that comes across right away in the film. Unlike most fairy tales, where the wicked and evil witches are at the flip side of a hero in ‘Despearaux’ a few of the characters are not purely evil but instead they have been hurt thus becoming hurtful themselves through their actions.

Now, let’s get back to the main reason of the fable; Desperaux Tilling (Mathew Broderick). A tiny mouse that was born too brave – wide-eyed and curious about life – suddenly finds that his hometown is no place for the big adventures he longs for. Desperaux although small in size is always wondering what is outside the tiny walls that surrounds him. And so slowly, he begins to find himself as others tell him to stray back and act more like rest of the mouse. His refusal of cowering down takes him to his ultimate adventure and to meet Princess Pea (Emma Watson). There in the library castle he learns to read – and within the fables of knights, dragons and fair princesses he recognizes and believes in a code of honor, friendship and valor.

But to reveal the entire story will be a disservice and trust me it will spoil the heartwarming effect. ‘The Tale of Desperaux’ is a great family film, an enchanting story and set of characters that will captivate everyone’s imagination. And at the end of the fable the message is very clear and always truth to that wise idea of what you look like is not equal to what you are.

Check out ‘The Tale of Desperaux’ Official