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The Red Balloon invests the simplest of narratives with spectacular visual inventiveness, making for a singularly wondrous portrait of innocence.
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All Critics (20) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (1)
A beautiful little meditation on childhood, on imagination literally taking flight. Dec 13, 2007 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
A beautiful little meditation on childhood, on imagination literally taking flight.
Steven Rea
As enjoyable for adults who wistfully view scenes of post-war France in all its black and white chicness, as it is for kids. Nov 19, 2007 | Full Review…
As enjoyable for adults who wistfully view scenes of post-war France in all its black and white chicness, as it is for kids.
Kate Fuscoe
An utterly charming little story. Nov 19, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
An utterly charming little story.
Bosley Crowther
The absence of one key scene near the film's end renders the entire thing pablum. Jul 13, 2012 | Rating: 68/100 | Full Review…
The absence of one key scene near the film's end renders the entire thing pablum.
Dan Jardine
Lamorisse's lyrical tale, largeky told through imagery, holds up extremely well, and it's still the only short feature to ever win a major Oscar (original screenplay). Jul 17, 2011 | Rating: A | Full Review…
Lamorisse's lyrical tale, largeky told through imagery, holds up extremely well, and it's still the only short feature to ever win a major Oscar (original screenplay).
Emanuel Levy
Imaginative story told entirely through visuals. Jan 2, 2011 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
Imaginative story told entirely through visuals.
Scott G. Mignola
For those of us who don't have childhood memories driving our analysis, it's a passable kids movie that could be so much more. May 5, 2009 | Rating: 59/100 | Full Review…
For those of us who don't have childhood memories driving our analysis, it's a passable kids movie that could be so much more.
Gabe Leibowitz
Enchanting. May 8, 2008 | Full Review…
Enchanting.
Jeffrey M. Anderson
The story of a boy and his toy, The Red Balloon is widely praised for its narrative and visual "purity," but not enough is said about the movie's delightful manipulation. Apr 26, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
The story of a boy and his toy, The Red Balloon is widely praised for its narrative and visual "purity," but not enough is said about the movie's delightful manipulation.
Paul Schrodt
The key to its lasting endurance is in its simplicity. Apr 23, 2008 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
The key to its lasting endurance is in its simplicity.
David Cornelius
if you missed it as a child, now is the time to make sure you seek it out and watch it. Apr 9, 2008 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
if you missed it as a child, now is the time to make sure you seek it out and watch it.
Don Willmott
It's the perfect little movie. Dec 24, 2007 | Rating: 4/4
It's the perfect little movie.
Sean P. Means
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