SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 6 min. (Black & White)
Originally accompanying Wreck-It Ralph’s 2012 theatrical release, this dialogue-free Disney animated short from director John Kahrs relates a possible romance between restless office worker ‘George’ and ‘Meg,’ who is evidently interviewing for a job across the street.
Kahrs doubles as George’s sound effects, though his character (coincidentally or not) resembles lanky actor John Krasinski. Veteran voice actress Kari Wahlgren provides Meg’s demure sound effects.
On a windy morning in a downtown subway station (perhaps New York City or Chicago), commuters George and Meg shyly meet before going their separate ways. Thanks to the wind, a demure Meg has inadvertently imparted a kiss in red lipstick on one of George’s work-related forms. Later that morning, a smitten George glimpses Meg in the building across the street from his firm’s high-rise office.
Dreamily trying to catch her attention, a disheartened George loses sight of a still-oblivious Meg. Yet, his discarded paper airplanes won’t give up that easily.
Note: This 2013 Oscar-winning cartoon is included on the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection Blu-Ray/DVD.
REVIEW:
Complete with composer Christophe Beck’s gentle score, Paperman is a beautifully-rendered example of visual storytelling. Imbued with starry-eyed romanticism, the story’s use of lipstick as its sole color makes for an inspired creative choice. Even more so is how the animators masterfully reveal George & Meg’s wistful emotions only through facial reactions and a few vocal noises. For any timeless romantic, Paperman is an opportunity to view an animated valentine unfold without words (even through the closing credits).
BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 10 Stars
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