Blaise

Blaise is a quirky French satire whose socially awkward tone leads to some hilarious scenes and situations, even if the characters don’t have much depth and are sometimes too farcical

Directed by Dimitri Planchon and Jean Paul–Guigue, Blaise screened at the Annecy Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix in the Contrechamp selection, and also won Best Animated Film at the Fantasia Film Festival. It follows Blaise, an introverted, socially awkward 16-year-old who falls in love with Josephine. His inability to say no draws him into increasingly dangerous and bizarre acts of rebellion. Meanwhile, his parents, Carole and Jacques, navigate confusing situations of their own as they question who they are.

Adapted from Dimitri Planchon’s comic strip and animated shorts, Blaise is best described in two words: bizarre and awkward. It is genuinely funny, with memorable sequences and jokes delivered through sharp one-liners, abrupt cuts and unexpected twists. My favourites include a hospital scene in which Blaise’s dad, Jacques, struggles with his allergies, and another involving a grenade at a school. Its awkward humour stems from characters who lack the confidence to say no or clarify what they mean, landing themselves in increasingly uncomfortable predicaments.

The animation is equally intriguing, combining a cut-out photographic aesthetic with exaggerated character features and stiff movements. Rather than pursuing the photorealism favoured by some animated films, Blaise embraces a deliberately ugly, unrealistic look.

My main criticism of Blaise is its lack of character depth: beyond witty lines and awkward situations, there is little to connect with emotionally. Blaise and Josephine’s relationship is the film’s strongest, but elsewhere that connection is limited. The awkward humour may also wear thin for some viewers, and I found certain situations too farcical to be believable.

Overall, Blaise is a funny, surreal film well worth watching for its clever humour and engaging plot. Its characters lack depth, however, and its comedy and animation style may not appeal to everyone.