Vincent

A film by Tim Burton and Rick Heinrichs
5 Minutes Animation in Black and White

Has Vincent fallen into one of his fantasies curled in ecstasy? Or is he tortured and broken unable to function anymore as a result of his vivid imagination?

You decide ...

"Vincent" is the animated story of "Vincent Malloy", an extraordinary boy who lives his life in a perpetual fantasy world, believing that he is the actor Vincent Price.

His days are spent re-enacting the characters and tales that Vincent Price has played in films, especially the adaptations of stories by the genius "Edgar Allen Poe" famous for his dark poetry and short stories.

During the film we witness his intriguing daydreams, Vincent's world is one in which outsiders even his own parents find too bizarre and strange to comprehend, yet it is a world filled with adventure and immense humour.

"Vincent's" Mother wants him to behave like other children, to play ball outside in the sunshine. However Vincent is remarkably different to the other children and the reality of his life at home and the differences between himself and others only increases his fantasising, with adverse affects!

To Vincent the ordinary world of bright colours, childhood playtime in the sunshine and fresh air is a source of pain and disillusionment; he is repulsed by the things most children enjoy, as they have no basis in the thrilling world that fills his mind.

Vincent's imagination soars to obsessive heights, finally reaching a climatic end when he collapses on the floor in a state of delirium. Has he fallen into one of his fantasies and is now curled up in ecstasy? Or is he in fact tortured and broken unable to function anymore as a result of his vivid imagination? It is up to you to decide.

In Vincent you see the struggles with communication that can develop between children who are exceptionally different by societies standards. Rather than embrace the differences in this little boy his mother would just like him to simply 'become' like the other children, instead of entering his world. Although it could be said that "Vincent" is alienating himself, Vincent is a child and is simply being himself, however strange he may seem to the outside world.

The film is shot in black and white and it does have some similarities in the rhyming of the narrative to the books by Dr Seuss, which Tim Burton loved as a child. The stark use of Black and white film is mesmerising, this little animation is a five-minute exploration into the persuasive and thrilling world of a little boy who has the magical ability to create a fantasy world that is both therapeutic and funny as well as torturous depending on which way you choose to look at it.

Although there have been people who compare "Vincent" to Tim Burton, I leave the deep analysis to the experts and you will find some more links to sites that explore Tim Burton's films further including this animation in the links section. I hope you will take a look at Vincent and decide for yourself.