I have to admit, I had never heard of Don Hertzfeldt or It’s Such A Beautiful Day before I saw this film recommended on MUBI. But, for all of those sceptical about the artistic quality of animation (do these people still exist?) this one is a must watch. Combining hand-drawings with philosophy musings, I am looking forward to watching more from this obviously talented director.
Why Watch It’s Such A Beautiful Day?
- It’s in English – no subtitle allergic excuses here.
- Evidence that even you could animate – all you need is a pencil and a camera.
- To see the darkly funny life of Bill.
- Animation at it’s most innovative and interesting.
It’s A Beautiful Day opens with a shot looking up at trees swaying in the breeze and clouds passing by. A narrative starts, introducing us to Bill, a stick-figure man, walking down the street. Bill recognises someone approaching him, but cannot remember his name. As they get closer, he still can’t find a name to match this familiar face. As they pass he jumbles his greeting, saying “how’s up?” and keeps walking. They awkwardly look around at the same time but keeping walking away from each other. Bill never saw him again.
Ahh! I’ve tried to give you a sample of the opening scene of this film but the comedy doesn’t translate too well. So go watch the film! Pretty sure it’s on Netflix!
This film is different from other animations, and other films for that matter, in that it has a narrator for the whole movie. Someone else is commentating on Bill’s life, which made me feel like an obvious observer, unlike the immersive “I feel like I’m there with them” approach. However, don’t be put off by this, as it really works for this film. The humour is amplified by our third person perspective as we can identify with Bill for the funny moments, and not be too immersed in the film to identify with Bill in the darker moments (allowing the dark comedy to exist).
The split screen elements are kind of cool too. The whole film is shot through little windows into Bill’s life (you’ll see what I mean when you start watching it). The windows represent Bill’s world; his hopes and happiness and his fears and worries. The windows expand with hope and happiness, and contract and split up when Bill faces problems. Outside art also makes appearances to exacerbate both his happiness and his negative emotions. In this way, Hertzfeldt effectively portrays the emotional ups and downs of a stick figure – creative guy!
My favourite scene was of Bill sitting on a bus as rain pours. He is framed in a centre window with four windows in each corner of the screen with different pictures of rain falling. The music reaches an emotional crescendo in this scene and really helps us feel Bill’s emotions. (Amazingly powerful considering Bill is just a little stick-figure).
I’d recommend this film to any fan of animation and any fan of listening and watching ordinary lives with a handful of philosophical thought. I hope that you, like I will be planning to watch some more Hertzfeldt after viewing this one!
