Paddington

• Written and Directed by Paul King
• November 28, 2014 (UK) / December 3, 2014 (France)
• Based on the stories of the character Paddington Bear created by Michael Bond

A bear that moves from the jungles of Peru to the streets of London is adopted by the Brown Family and soon pursued by a taxidermist who wants to add him to her collection.

Within seconds you know Paddington is going to be cute. There is a warmth from the first few moments. This has that dry British humor and those general British sensibilities which make it quirky and charming. It gives it a delightfully awkward presentation and a gentleness that you just can’t get elsewhere.

This creates a mild fantasy setting where anything can go. No matter how silly or serious it might be all things are possible. Anything is possible even though nothing comes out of left field. Despite walking and talking bears not being common, nobody raises an eyebrow to Paddington (voice of Ben Wishaw) in this entire movie. This fantasy makes it quite funny. The combination of warmth and genuine humor relies on the situation and not mocking the characters.

Even so some things don’t make sense such as Paddington’s Aunt Lucy (voice of Imelda Staunton) moving into the Home for Retired Bears with a human staff. Why? Because that would imply people know of these bears’ existence beyond Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman) and her explorer father (Tim Downie).

Nicole Kidman is delightfully evil as Millicent. Not only is she a genuine and appropriate level threat for the story, but she is just delightful in the part. She channeled classic Disney evil that you just don’t get any more. One of several actors clearly enjoying their time.

Nicole Kidman is not the type of actress that I would necessarily expect to be in something like this. When I think of her I think of some stuff that’s more highbrow or artsy rather than a family-friendly film no matter how good it is. Then again she did Just Go with It and absolutely killed it there. My point being is that much like Cate Blanchett, she can do the artful as well as the less than avant-garde with equal aplomb, but she rarely gets the chance to do so.

There are nice touches that add to the overall quality. Elements in the background highlight the scene while adding more ‘cute.’ Such as when Paddington arrives in London and he’s at Paddington Station from which he earned his name. He’s in front of the Lost and Found with ‘lost’ only being on until the Brown family takes him in.

The safe and controlled world that Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville) has established for his family is upended by Paddington. The parents were once wild and crazy but becoming a father but turned into a man afraid of danger. A pretty cliché bit, but the point of the story in Paddington is that you have to live a little. Maybe not embrace chaos but don’t avoid living because it might be a little dangerous.

Paddington also teaches the parents to trust their children and allows them to be themselves while Henry decides to step outside of his zone of fear. Paddington for his part finds a new home. The marriage between Henry and his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins) was never in danger or stressed but by the end it’s stronger than ever as Henry has found that spark again that made him such a good catch for Mary. They complement each other. One feeds the other.

The Brown’s children-Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin)-are somewhat similar to the adults. The son has much of his father in him even though the father has suppressed it. Perhaps he is even a more reasoned version of his father since his dad has by the end developed a much more risk-taking streak than the son does. Judy is chafing a bit under her mothers love as she seeks to establish her individuality. The family has normal family issues. These aren’t deeply dysfunctional individuals. They do care about each other. It’s just growing pains if nothing else.

Things get dropped in seemingly at random or are more there for a humorous moment/something quirky but comes into use later on down the road. There’s a lot that happens here and very little of it is extraneous. Not only is Paddington entertaining but it is expertly made.

Paddington knows how to pull at the heart strings. You’re not gonna be crying but you’ll feel a little something as you watch Paddington‘s journey. Director Paul King evokes feelings in this. It doesn’t try to go too big. It’s a story that affects the world of the characters, but not the entire world.

Paddington is a near perfect family movie that can be enjoyed by adults all by themselves. It’s funny and well worth your time.