Introduction: A Timeless Tale Reimagined
The 2015 animated film The Little Prince, directed by Mark Osborne and based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved 1943 novella, is a masterful cinematic adaptation that transcends simple storytelling. It doesn’t just retell the classic tale; it weaves a new narrative around it, creating a poignant dialogue between the innocence of childhood and the often harsh realities of adulthood. This review will delve into the film’s narrative structure, its stunning visual artistry, the profound themes it explores, and its emotional resonance, illustrating why it remains a heartwarming journey for audiences of all ages.
Narrative Structure: A Story Within a Story
The film’s brilliance lies in its dual narrative structure. It introduces us to a new protagonist, a young girl named “The Little Girl” (voiced by Mackenzie Foy), who lives in a meticulously planned, adult-dominated world. Her life is a schedule of lessons and expectations, leaving no room for imagination. Her neighbor, an eccentric old aviator (voiced by Jeff Bridges), becomes the catalyst for change. He shares with her the story of the Little Prince, a boy from a distant asteroid, and his encounters with various strange characters.
Example of the Dual Narrative:
- The Little Girl’s World: We see her in a sterile, beige apartment, her schedule displayed on a large screen. Her mother (voiced by Rachel McAdams) is a symbol of pragmatic adulthood, constantly pushing her towards academic excellence. The visual style here is rigid, with straight lines and a muted color palette, reflecting the suppression of creativity.
- The Little Prince’s Story: As the aviator recounts the tale, the film transitions into a vibrant, hand-painted 2d animation style. The colors are warm and saturated, and the movements are fluid and whimsical. This stark contrast visually represents the clash between the structured adult world and the boundless realm of imagination.
This structure allows the film to explore its central theme: how the adult world often stifles the very imagination that defines childhood. The Little Girl’s journey of discovering the Little Prince’s story parallels her own awakening to the importance of love, friendship, and seeing with the heart.
Visual Artistry: A Feast for the Eyes
Mark Osborne, known for his work on Kung Fu Panda, brings a unique visual flair to the film. The animation is a hybrid of 3D CGI for the “real world” and traditional 2D animation for the Little Prince’s story. This choice is not merely aesthetic; it’s deeply symbolic.
Detailed Analysis of Visual Techniques:
- Color Psychology: In the Little Girl’s world, colors are desaturated—grays, beiges, and muted blues dominate. This reflects the emotional and creative suppression she experiences. In contrast, the Little Prince’s asteroid (B-612) and his travels are depicted in rich, vibrant colors. For instance, the rose garden on the asteroid is a burst of crimson and gold, symbolizing the beauty and fragility of love.
- Character Design: The Little Prince is designed with a simple, almost childlike silhouette, emphasizing his innocence. The adult characters in his story (the king, the vain man, the businessman, the lamplighter, and the drunkard) are exaggerated and grotesque, highlighting the absurdity of their single-minded pursuits. The Little Girl, in her 3D form, starts with a stiff posture but gradually becomes more relaxed and expressive as she engages with the story.
- The Use of Light and Shadow: The film masterfully uses lighting to convey mood. In the aviator’s workshop, warm, golden light spills from the windows, creating a safe haven for storytelling. In the Little Prince’s world, the sun and stars are depicted as living, breathing entities, often with smiling faces, reinforcing the theme of interconnectedness.
Example Scene: The Rose and the Fox The scene where the Little Prince meets the fox is a visual and emotional pinnacle. The fox is rendered in a delicate, sketch-like 2D style, with soft edges and a gentle demeanor. As the fox explains the concept of “taming” (establishing bonds), the background shifts from a barren landscape to a field of golden wheat, symbolizing the warmth and connection that come from friendship. The dialogue is accompanied by subtle animations—like the fox’s tail curling in thought or the Little Prince’s eyes widening with understanding—making the abstract concept of love tangible.
Themes Explored: From Imagination to Reality
The film delves into several interconnected themes, each illustrated through the characters’ journeys.
1. The Importance of Imagination and Play
The Little Prince’s story is a celebration of imagination. His asteroid, B-612, is a tiny world where he can talk to flowers, stars, and a single rose. This contrasts sharply with the Little Girl’s world, where play is scheduled and creativity is measured by outcomes.
Real-World Connection: The film subtly critiques modern education systems that prioritize standardized testing over creative exploration. The Little Girl’s mother represents this mindset, but her eventual realization—that imagination is not a distraction but a vital part of human experience—offers a hopeful message.
2. Love, Loss, and the Pain of Attachment
The Little Prince’s relationship with his rose is central to the film’s emotional core. The rose is proud, demanding, and fragile, yet the Prince loves her deeply. When he leaves her to explore other planets, he experiences the pain of separation and the realization that his rose is unique because of the time and care he invested in her.
Example: The Rose’s Vulnerability In a poignant scene, the Little Prince returns to his asteroid to find the rose wilted and alone. The animation here is particularly effective—the rose’s petals droop, and her colors fade, visually representing neglect and heartache. This moment teaches the Prince (and the audience) that love requires responsibility and presence. It’s a lesson the Little Girl begins to understand as she bonds with the aviator and his story.
3. The Absurdity of Adult Priorities
Through the characters the Little Prince meets on other planets, the film satirizes adult obsessions. The king who rules over nothing, the vain man who craves admiration, the businessman who counts stars without appreciating them, the lamplighter who follows a meaningless routine, and the drunkard who drinks to forget his shame—all are trapped in their own bubbles of self-absorption.
Detailed Example: The Businessman The businessman is a striking example. He is depicted as a small, hunched figure surrounded by piles of coins and ledgers. He claims to own the stars, but when the Little Prince asks what good they are, he has no answer. The businessman’s world is a monochrome grid of numbers, devoid of color or joy. This character is a direct critique of materialism and the loss of wonder in the pursuit of wealth.
4. The Interconnection of All Things
The film emphasizes that everything is connected—the stars, the flowers, the people, and the stories we tell. The aviator’s story is not just a tale; it’s a bridge between generations. The Little Girl’s act of saving the aviator’s story from being discarded is an act of preserving imagination itself.
Example: The Final Scene In the film’s climax, the Little Girl and the aviator embark on a journey to find the Little Prince. They travel through a fantastical landscape that blends 2D and 3D animation, symbolizing the merging of imagination and reality. The Little Prince is found in a hospital, where he has grown into a cynical adult, having lost his connection to his rose and his own story. The Little Girl’s act of reminding him of his past—through the story and a drawing of his rose—reconnects him to his true self. This scene powerfully illustrates that our stories and memories are what keep us human and connected to our inner child.
Emotional Resonance: Why It Moves Us
The film’s emotional impact stems from its authenticity. It doesn’t shy away from the pain of growing up—the loss of innocence, the pressures of adulthood, and the fear of losing what makes us unique. Yet, it offers a path back through imagination and connection.
Personal Anecdote (as an expert): As someone who has studied the intersection of psychology and storytelling, I’ve seen how narratives like The Little Prince can serve as therapeutic tools. The film’s depiction of the Little Prince’s journey mirrors the process of individuation in Jungian psychology—integrating the conscious and unconscious, the child and the adult. The Little Girl’s transformation is a modern example of this, showing that it’s never too late to reclaim one’s imagination.
Conclusion: A Timeless Journey
The Little Prince (2015) is more than a movie; it’s an experience. It challenges viewers to reflect on their own lives: Are we living like the businessman, counting stars without seeing their beauty? Or are we like the Little Prince, willing to invest time and love into what truly matters? The film’s message is clear: while adulthood brings responsibilities, it should not extinguish the spark of childhood imagination. By preserving and sharing stories, we keep that spark alive, not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
In a world increasingly dominated by screens and schedules, The Little Prince serves as a gentle reminder to look up at the stars, to nurture our relationships, and to never stop believing in the magic of a story well told. It is, without a doubt, a heartwarming journey that leaves a lasting impression on the heart.