In a Cage takes the classic form of a “buddy movie”: it’s a story about a friendship between two characters who are very different to each other – a burly oaf with a big heart and a tiny bird who has just fallen from its tree. They are brought together by chance as both wind up stuck in the same place; gradually they begin to look after each other. The bear gives the bird the protection it needs, while the bird tries to teach the bear the art of singing … which the bear utterly fails to grasp! The result is a series of situations that are both zany and touching, and we quickly grow very fond of the two adorable characters, who are complemented by a delicious supporting cast.
As we follow their adventures over the course of the seasons, we can appreciate the lovely work on the colours, lighting and changes in the landscape. This film achieves the impressive feat of being beautifully self-contained while taking place in the open air, as it consists of a single set and a single static shot in which only the weather varies. The differing times and conditions whizz by almost in the blink of an eye, from sunshine to rain, day to night, autumn to winter and so on. This is a story with the feel of a fairytale, with humour and tenderness to the fore, along with a little poetry.
The film features no dialogue but has plenty of noises that heighten the characters’ comical, almost cartoonish qualities, which are already made clear by the artwork. The noises include whistling, groans, shouts and assorted onomatopoeic effects, all of which make for a very fun soundscape. We should also mention that the whole short film is accompanied by jazzy music that enhances the charm and cheerily brings to mind the wonderful world of musical comedies. As for the bear, there’s a bit of the Jungle Book’s Baloo about him … which will surely only add to the enjoyment of viewers young and old. Truly, it is hard to watch this film without having a smile on your face and feeling an urge to dance!
