What a lovely story! How could anyone not be enchanted by all these round and adorable little fish who are determined to help the weird, non-responsive red fish who appears suddenly in their midst ...
In less than seven minutes the film immerses us in the meaning of life. We are in a radiant blue universe, looking up. The camera gives us a fish's-eye view of the world, discreetly heightening the sense of being at one with the intrepid sea-dwellers ... We are, like them, right in the middle of the ocean, attracted by the sunlight shining on the surface, when something new and strange appears from nowhere. It's red, it's round, it looks heavy and it doesn't make a sound. For our friends it is a complete mystery, whereas we immediately recognise a familiar object: a red ball. What makes the story so delightful is when we realise how much the young fish are driven, perfectly naturally, to help their fellow creature. We are treated to a beautiful lesson in life as, despite several fruitless attempts, they never give up. The peculiar fish they are helping is mighty heavy and difficult to move but there's no question of our little heroes abandoning him. Their courage and valour remain steadfast. They put their hearts into the mission and form a chain of fish, all united to save one of their own. If any fish has to leave the water, it must not do so for more than a few seconds, otherwise its own life will be in peril. The rescue is a very serious business. The fish know very well that every second counts. And every one of them plays a part, right up to the big sperm whale, a huge and calm creature who arrives with magnificent grace in a heart-melting piece of choreography. The little fish are not scared, for he is their big friend. We see how all of them, even the poor, slightly impaired one on a skewer, join forces to save the funny red fish. And then, whoosh! No sooner has it been hauled under water, pulled by this extraordinary chain of solidarity, than it rebounds out with even greater force! The astonishment is total. Just what is that thing?
