Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025)

The critic finds it a rapturous, emotionally balanced celebration of childhood. They single out its soft, painterly animation and especially praise a standout scene explaining wartime bombings through a rice cooker.

Aguilar calls the film beautiful, life-affirming and emotionally mature. He praises how its animation turns a child’s perspective into imaginative, affecting images.

Ide gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it poetic and strikingly beautiful. She singles out its shimmering watercolour-like animation and sensory portrayal of childhood discovery.

Oller praises the film as a vivid, whimsical coming-of-age story with a magic all its own. He singles out its colorful, impressionistic animation and its ability to filter traumatic history through a toddler’s perspective.

Jenkins calls it a dazzling, impressive film that sensitively explores childhood. He praises its vibrant colours, expressive character design and lyrical animation.

Bradshaw finds the animation tender, sweet and poignant in its portrayal of early childhood. He particularly praises its charming blend of European and Japanese animation styles and its final sequence.

The review calls the animation a pint-sized joy. It praises the wisdom packed into a story about a very little life.

Ehrlich praises the film as a splendid, visually arresting coming-of-age story that balances discovery with grief. He singles out its vivid animation and childlike rendering of how the world first appears to a young girl.

Cole finds the film a light, charming coming-of-age story with an elegiac undertow. He praises its watercolor-inspired animation for conveying Amélie’s still-forming perspective and her closeness with Nishio.

Mintzer finds the film a charming, uplifting balance of childhood fantasy and adult realities, though its serious themes may not always feel child-friendly. He praises its vivid, watercolor-like animation and the sensory wonder it brings to Amélie’s discoveries.

The standfirst presents the animation as charming. It singles out its adaptation of Amélie Nothomb’s memoir, though the review’s full verdict is inaccessible.

Debruge finds the film enchanting, though its unusual toddler’s worldview can be difficult to grasp. He praises the distinctive minimalist animation and the emotional depth that develops through Amélie’s bond with Nishio-san.

The review page could not be accessed, so its verdict is unavailable. The article’s specific praise or criticism cannot be verified.

The critic calls the film astoundingly wonderful and says it deserves to stand alongside major studio productions. They single out its painterly, dreamlike animation and its deeply moving perspective on Amélie’s life.

Wise finds the film a nuanced, darkly delightful meditation on life and death, suited to both sensitive adults and sophisticated children. He praises its handmade pastel animation and its thoughtful treatment of Japanese history and grief.

Kermode finds the film distinctive and suggests its awards prospects may surprise. She particularly praises Amélie’s unforgettable personality and the animation’s distinctive look.