by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
When will we get another holiday special classic? All the classics (even today) are still from a specific time in the ‘60s and ‘70s. There are the stop-motion classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, and The Year Without a Santa Claus. You have some other Rankin-Bass animated flicks like Frosty the Snowman as well. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched them over the years. It has been a long time since anything has cracked the threshold, but that won’t stop studios and streamers from attempting to do so.
What does Apple TV+ have in store for audiences this Christmas? They deliver an adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s children’s book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. This is not the most complicated of tales. A boy is lost in the wilderness and meets three animals along the way. They help him survive, attempt to get home, and teach him important life lessons along the way. There aren’t crazy magical or sprawling adventures. This is a simple and heartfelt little journey that captures the spirit of the season while having the audience invested in our titular crew.
Visually, how does this stand out amongst the rest of the holiday classics? This one is certainly different, and that is a great thing. The 2D animation utilized for the story is starkly different compared to the others. There is a classy and elegant look to this film, with the painting and drawing. Capitalizing on the white world that this young boy must venture through, the animation is clean and sharp, which allows the characters to stand out greatly up against the landscape. This beautiful journey through the woods comes to life so perfectly with this classy animation style.
What does this little film offer up in terms of messaging for the young audience? There is a strong central theme about friendship, and this film certainly offers up a unique and different type of connection. This young boy gains appreciation for the companionship that he develops with each of these animals along the way. There are themes of humanity and what we are capable of. Coming from the animals, it is quite an interesting dynamic, but also more accessible for the younger audience. Empathy is so important in this tale, as each of these animals puts themselves at risk because they feel for this young boy. The dialogue might be a little blunter than it has to be (probably to more easily convey ideas to the younger ones in the audience), but the themes and ideas still deliver.
Who involved helped this little film come to life? A quick shoutout to Isobel Waller-Bridge of Fleabag fame, with her moving and tender score. But it is the three big-named voices who bring plenty of layers. The Mole is delightfully voiced by Tom Hollander, who gives a fun and dynamic performance that easily expresses a variety of feelings and emotions. Idris Elba is soulful and strong as The Fox, as he protects the boy. Then you have Gabriel Byrne, who brings a worldly and experienced performance to The Horse. His tender, older voice is perfect to this big, strong horse, who has a fatherly feel.
Does The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse have some serious classic appeal and potential? Absolutely. The one challenge is that this is a tender and methodical journey that is downright gorgeous, but it lacks the “fun” of many other holiday tales. But that should be fine. The messages are as beautiful as the animation that brings them to life. This is a sweet and tender tale, which is good for the whole family.
Score: 8/10
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is currently streaming on Apple TV+
You can follow Shane Conto on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd