The photos at the end were devastating, but that’s because of how well we got to know both of them.
What it's about
London, 1920s-1970s. Ordinary couple Ethel and Ernest Briggs form a relationship, and eventually, a marriage that endures through the extraordinary events of the century.
The take
When thinking about one’s family, we tend to remember our parents as parents, and rarely as people of their own. Ethel & Ernest, based on Raymond Briggs’ beloved graphic memoir of his own parents, instead focuses on two ordinary spouses in extraordinary times, sharing some of the day-to-day moments that show their affection, but is clearly marked by the times they’re in, materially and politically. The watercolor design is a cleaner, more modern update of the original illustrations, while Briggs’ handwritten speech bubbles still retain their character through Jim Broadbent’s and Brenda Blethyn’s voices. It’s just a loving, but still honest, depiction of one’s parents, one that makes you think about your own.
What stands out
Western animation usually leans more on the action-fantasy genre, so it’s refreshing to see a calmer, slice-of-life perspective in Ethel & Ernest.
Comments
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Angle (2023)
Wrestling legend Kurt Angle is the embodiment of "never give up" in this candid sports documentary
8.5
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
A star-studded and riveting legal drama with a blockbuster feel.
8.1
The Guilty (2018)
A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.
9.0
Forgotten Love (2023)
The stunning third take of the classic Polish pre-war melodrama
7.7
System Crasher (2019)
A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.
9.0
Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996)
Almost Hong Kong natives become almost lovers in this heart stirring romance drama
8.2
The Resurrection of Jake The Snake (2015)
The inspiring, gritty journey of how pro wrestler Jake "The Snake" Roberts turned his life around
8.0
Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (1992)
Alternatively, a hilarious, satiric guide to dealing with pesky organized crime
8.3
Problemista (2024)
Dark, weird, poignant, and funny, this debut feature by Los Espookys star Julio Torres is a modern parable of the American Dream
8.6
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Shyamalan meets Black Mirror in this hugely entertaining, visually inventive apocalyptic thriller with a killer ending