When watching animated dramas – admittedly, not my favorite genre – I ask myself: would the story have been better served as a live-action movie? With The Breadwinner, the answer is undeniably yes. Still, the movie is nicely, if unoriginally drawn, and features an engaging story about an Afghani girl who poses as a boy so she can have the freedom to leave her home and make money for her family after her father is put in prison by the Taliban.
And if you haven’t heard heard, the Taliban aren’t the most fun-loving of blokes.
The story is affecting and effective, and director Nora Twomey draws you into the protagonist’s plight. On the flip side, as an animated film, the stakes feel lessened and the risks less consequential–a live-action rendition would have made more sense. The movie is often dotted with fantastical tales that, aside from adding some nice visuals to the film, serve as nothing more than a distraction.
Despite some issues, The Breadwinner is still a well made drama with an important story to tell. Too bad it’s told in cartoon form.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.