While watching the movie I was sensing that finally Pixar did get it right. It's been long 10 years of crossing the desert with horrible movies. Only Coco was at the same level as the classic ones (Toy Story, Up, Wall-e, Ratatouille,...). And this one was pleasant to watch. I've enjoyed it very much.Pace is good, with great twists that makes it unpredictable, the editing and sound is also superb. One get immerse in the movie and feels the feeling of the characters.
Then it all goes well, the movie ends, and I continue feeling that I've watched a great spectacle. Good story, good emotions, good music. It's an adult film wrapped in animation.
Yet... after thinking about it... it looks like the scope of it is very narrow. The movie is forgettable. I could watch it again, sure. But I don't feel really moved or captivated by it. I won't quote its lines or hum its songs.
I think the reason is that the message itself is too big. Like a small mouth trying to say a big word. It's fundamentally about a transparent question to life itself. Why do we wake up every morning? why we do what we do? what do we want to do with the time we have present?
And the answer to that is weak, and full of stereotypes:Be good, enjoy little things, live every day at its fullest, finance people are bored and money is bad... well, while the movie gives a quick to the heart of finance (trading) the main character gets a ride in a taxi without the detail to paying for it.Life is what it is, but unfortunately (as the mother said) dreams will not buy you breakfast.
The problem is that the movie is the positive, beautiful and captivating side of life. A clean street where you can sit while watching autumn leaves fall. But there is a tedious and difficult side, where if you take a step out for a walk, you better know where you are going. Else, life will wipe you out.
Now, you could say the movie is what it is, and it's pointless to judge it from that angle. But... nor Toy Story, Up, Walle, or Ratatouille, felt like I could judge them in that sense. Those movies are perfect, round, and make sense by their own. The message fit the framework. Here it does not.