First I feel I must say that, having more than 3000 books in my library and a lifelong fascination with animation, that I would be predisposed to like this short is almost a given. That said, when a short is good enough for me to watch it half a dozen times in ten days, there's something more there than just personal inclinations would indicate. Because it would be difficult to discuss this without some details from the short, from this point on, some spoilers will be present.
The short starts with Lessmore writing in a journal. A hurricane sweeps in and takes Lessmore and the house where he lives into the air. There are nods to the Wizard of OZ, Buster Keaton and movies in general throughout the short. Lessmore is deposited in a scene reminiscent of one of Keaton's more memorable screen moments and he seems cast adrift and abandoned until a series of events makes him the caretaker of an animated library of flying books. The inference is that caretakers take turns stewarding the books, passing along a book of their adventures for future caretakers to enjoy. The animation throughout is a mix of techniques which meld pretty much seamlessly and effectively. It's a very visually effective short.
Time passes companionably for Lessmore and his charges until, as he must, Lessmore finally takes his leave of of his idylls here and be replaced in turn by another. It's a tender and bittersweet departure and the ending of the short is perfect. This deservedly won the Oscar for Animated Short amidst some fairly strong competition and is well worth seeing. Most highly recommended.
The short starts with Lessmore writing in a journal. A hurricane sweeps in and takes Lessmore and the house where he lives into the air. There are nods to the Wizard of OZ, Buster Keaton and movies in general throughout the short. Lessmore is deposited in a scene reminiscent of one of Keaton's more memorable screen moments and he seems cast adrift and abandoned until a series of events makes him the caretaker of an animated library of flying books. The inference is that caretakers take turns stewarding the books, passing along a book of their adventures for future caretakers to enjoy. The animation throughout is a mix of techniques which meld pretty much seamlessly and effectively. It's a very visually effective short.
Time passes companionably for Lessmore and his charges until, as he must, Lessmore finally takes his leave of of his idylls here and be replaced in turn by another. It's a tender and bittersweet departure and the ending of the short is perfect. This deservedly won the Oscar for Animated Short amidst some fairly strong competition and is well worth seeing. Most highly recommended.