Released in 2003, and only 78 minutes long “Belleville Rendez-Vous” is a rather quirky animated film. Directed and written by Sylvain Chomet, it was nominated for two Oscars (Animated Feature Film and Best Song) and won the inaugural BBC FOUR World Cinema Award.

Madame Souza is the film’s heroine. A widow with a club foot, she is responsible for raising Champion, her young, orphaned grandson. Champion appears to be an introverted, lonely child, something that worries his grandmother. Her efforts to cheer him up include buying him a puppy called Bruno – unfortunately, Bruno isn’t welcomed with any great amount of enthusiasm. However, the discovery of a scrapbook tells Madame Souza exactly what Champion is interested in : cycling. She promptly buys him his first bicycle, something that brings the reaction she has been hoping for.

The years pass by and, even as an adult, Champion is passionate about his sport. His grandmother supervises his rigorous training, in preparation for the Tour de France. Madame Souza and Bruno have also, apparently, been employed in the race’s “broom wagon”. (This is a van, used to pick up the cyclists at the back of the peloton who have decided to abandon the race). However, on the stage to Mont Ventoux, Madam Souza’s broom wagon is sabotaged. The saboteurs are members of the French Mafia, who – using a fake broom wagon – kidnap Champion and two other permanently breathless cyclists. Mounting a rescue, Madame Souza and Bruno follow the kidnappers to Belleville – a huge city, part New York, part Quebec and part Montreal. It’s also home to three very helpful, old-time singing sisters.

It’s very difficult not to like Madame Souza – a very determined old lady, she has nothing but her grandson’s best interests at heart. Bruno, the old dog, is always worth a smile to two. His main interests are barking at trains, eating and sleeping – he also provides one or two slightly strange, but also funny, dream sequences. Although a French film, there is really no need for any dubbing or subtitling as there’s virtually no dialogue. Quirky in parts, a little surreal in others, it wouldn’t be a typical Disney film – it’s one that would be enjoyed more by adults than children.

You know those somewhat experimental film festival animated shorts that are really, really weird, but make you feel all artsy and bohemian after watching it? Stretch that out to 80 minutes, and that’s Triplets of Belleville.

Because of the movie’s style and lack of dialogue, you will probably spend the first half thinking “WTF? Why am I watching this?”

But it starts to come together, and towards the end becomes a riotous tale about four (the triplets + 1) strong, dedicated, half-crazy women who defeat the French mafia. It’s a bunch of fun.

A word of caution: even though this is an animated movie, it’s not some Disney Channel B.S. There’s gambling, half-dressed hookers, a shootout, and a topless Josephine Baker doing her banana dance (with corresponding breast jiggles). You may or may not be okay with your kids seeing that.

Absolutely stunning animation and what a stylish film—it really has a distinct character. That said, I do wish the plot had been a little more compelling. I wasn’t completely drawn in by the events of the story.

the best car pursuit that i have ever seen in my whole life!

What a gem this is. Love the artwork, the kid’s nose and the cyclist’s calves. Being a Canadian citizen living in the U.S., I got a particularly good laugh out of their depiction of the American City – (every person on the street is corpulent, a million fast food restaurants in the background, etc…)

I love this movie. It is not your typical animated movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch something more than your typical film.

I really love this movie, i love the story and the characters, it’s the kind of movie that can transport you to another thing that isn’t in this earth.
I first hear the music from the movie so i was really happy when i hear it on the movie.

I read somewhere that someone found this movie charming. Not a word I’ve ever thought I’d use to describe a movie, but it is a very apt description.

Though the Triplets has basically no dialogue, this highly stylistic animation is a moving piece of storytelling.