Critics' Picks: The Red Balloon' - nytimes.com/video

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Uploaded by on Nov 10, 2009

A. O. Scott reviews the classic 1956 short film directed by Albert Lamorisse.

Related Article: http://bit.ly/37LkqH

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  • The only part that the critic here did not mention is that we can hear things in the boy's home that tell us he is not happy at home. I think the ballon knows this after being 'rescued' by the boy. The boy's unhappiness at the end is why all the other ballons leave their owners and come to him. To take him away from the sadness in his life. It is like our dreams, flying is a symbol of escape from things we cannot escape in real life.

  • when i was a kid it was the grey balloon.

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  • My favourite film. A simple tale with a profound message about the ego, individuality and tolerance. I think the red balloon symbolises the boys spirit, and his yearning to escape and fly away from his environmental and emotional poverty; the balloon following him represents the persistence of the boys spirit despite all the odds against him; and his rescue by the other balloons are a symbol of hope in all their colours. It should be shown in every class.

  • did the critics pick this to torture us?

  • @orsetto81utube And yes, I am aware that it was made in 1956, so during a time that they were still rebuilding and new wars were being waged.

  • Gross misinturpretation. The Balloon is hope, the boy is renewal and innocence. Given the time period that this was made (production being a year earlier) the country was feeling this way, in need of hope, wishing for an innocence long lost by war and rebuilding. This movie is FAR more than this short-sighted and literal critic has said. Perhaps people should know more about the context before offering their views.

  • @pocketspy & 4 sum reason da bad forces or side (group or gang of kids) r not an individual az 4 da good (da boy) he is jst himself & not sum group or gang.

  • I remeber seeing this movie in the first grade!!

    It's such a simple movie which makes it so unique

    the entire movie is based on the little boy and the ballon( which doesn't sound too amusing) but once you do watch it it's such a captivating film....!

    It's weird ! among my many childhood memories I remember going to see the play of the secret garden and it was just soo amazing! Does anyone know if you could still go watch the play today???

    ohhh and thanks a bunch albert lamorisse:)

  • There's something magical about this film that's brings back so memories from my childhood. It's able to evoke a sense of nostalgia more successfully than any other film I can recall. 

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