Named "Neuf", after her position in her mother's litter, a little mixed-breed dog with a big heart and a cute, heart-shaped nose recounts the memory-laden story of her life after a terrible hit-and-run accident. Indeed, up to now, she has been through a lot: people have adopted her, some have sold her, others have changed her name, and all of them, have abandoned her on the street again and again. But, now that life has come full circle, and she is back where she has started,... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
Named "Neuf", after her position in her mother's litter, a little mixed-breed dog with a big heart and a cute, heart-shaped nose recounts the memory-laden story of her life after a terrible hit-and-run accident. Indeed, up to now, she has been through a lot: people have adopted her, some have sold her, others have changed her name, and all of them, have abandoned her on the street again and again. But, now that life has come full circle, and she is back where she has started, all alone, the intense but short-lived moments of her ephemeral happiness are her only comfort. And in a life full of highs and lows; pain and joy; companionship and loneliness, love is all that matters.
Leave your thoughts about Marona's Fantastic Tale.
| RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzThe movie unfolds according to its own logic and intuition and demands a great deal of adults as well as kids, starting with the basic proposition that life is finite and ends in death, you don't get to choose the time, place, and circumstances of your passing, and it's not only OK for animation to talk about these things, it's healing. |
| Film ThreatAlex SavelievMarona’s Fantastic Tale gently and poetically deals with heavy themes like mortality, solitude, and loss, but manages to be suitable viewing for the entire family. It reiterates that the love our dogs have for us is unconditional and that we shouldn’t regard them as accessories or temporary means of respite. It’s also a phantasmagoric feast for the eyes. Seek it out. |
| The New York TimesTeo BugbeeMarona has three real homes in her life, and past abandonments have taught her that heartbreak waits in every happiness. But fortunately, the film stays buoyant through its unique, boisterous animation. |
| Los Angeles TimesMichael OrdonaWhile it’s sometimes dizzying in its visuals or its joy, it’s often not cute. It can be fun, even exhilarating. It can also carry the emotional impact of loss. |
| The Hollywood ReporterJordan MintzerThe film has its upbeat moments but can also be a tad gloomy — or maybe just classically Romanian, for anyone familiar with the recent cinematic output of that country — for what’s essentially a movie aimed at children. But the colorful animation helps to liven up the atmosphere. |
| VarietyPeter DebrugeProvides pleasures for all ages, but especially for dog lovers. |
| Austin ChronicleRichard WhittakerHowever, unlike "The Wolf House," the shifting styles of Marona never feel like change for change's sake, or like an extended highlight reel. Each sequence carries a different tone, a reflection of Marona's inner life and inner light. Even in her tragic end, her fantastic tale keeps wagging with hope. |
| User ReviewVicFerrariBeautiful, bittersweet animated tale with rare emotional depth. A range of modern techniques are seamlessly integrated with painterly, often abstract imagery always in service of the narrative thread. No mere sentimental crowd pleaser, this is cinema verite of the heart which doesn't flinch from life's hardship and the inevitability of loss (and death). |
