‘Belle’ Is A Stirring Sci-Fi Adventure Set In A Stunning World: LFF Review

This film is being screened as part of the 2021 BFI London Film Festival and you can find all of our coverage of the festival here.

After tragedy strikes her family, high-schooler Suzu finds herself unable to sing. That is, until she enters the enthralling virtual world of U, where her talent hardly goes unnoticed for long.

★★★★✰

Written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Belle’s premise could be described as sci-fi Hannah Montana. Suzu, a teenage girl who lives with her father, is Belle, the most popular singer in the world. Unlike Hannah Montana however, Belle only exists in the virtual world of U, and is a far cry from Suzu’s real-world timidity. The story follows Suzu who, while trying to process the death of her mother, bonds with The Dragon, a fighter infamous for his violent actions.

The script starts out strong. Similarly to Your Name, the sci-fi premise is not bogged down by unnecessary exposition. The world of U is introduced, but not explained. Overall, the script works because it recognises the tropes that make up this story, while never stripping away their emotional core. Hosoda is able to achieve a delicate combination of romanticization with meta commentary, never sacrificing the story’s stakes for its philosophical leanings. The depiction of high school romances is particularly sweet, adding a lot of light-hearted fun to the film, balancing the more dramatic interactions between Belle and Dragon. The Beauty and the Beast influence is subverted, with the move away from romantic love being refreshing for viewers accustomed to traditional Western media.

Despite how often animation is overlooked in Western cinema, it is easy to see why other countries, Japan most famously, embrace it. In fact, the highlight of Belle is the breath-taking animation. It would be reductive to say simply that this film looks beautiful. Each frame is produced like a piece of art, with the seamless blend of CG and hand-drawn creating a unique look. Stylistic choices made to distinguish between the real and the virtual worlds are especially effective because of the medium chosen. Belle enjoys the freedom of animation in both the real world and the virtual world. U is expansive, immersive, and imaginative, thanks to the memorable character designs and the fantastical settings. 

While movies like Ready Player One were able to achieve a similar effect using CGI, combining these new technologies with hand-drawn animation makes the designs more personable, and the art timeless. Despite how impressive Ready Player One was back in 2018, the animation already feels outdated. Belle, however, integrates hand-drawn and 3D animation perfectly, demonstrated most clearly in the large crowds present at Belle’s concerts. Each individual is drawn out with its unique design, while the 3D gives depth perception to the setting. The attention to detail, evident in characters that only grace the screen for a moment, is not only visually overwhelming, but it ties into the themes of individuality and expression laced throughout the film. 

Though the dream-like sequences seen in the virtual world offer some stunning visuals, the work put into bringing the real world to life is also commendable. The colour palette is particularly relevant, muted tones and neutral pastels mirroring Suzu’s melancholy and detachment from reality. Belle and Dragon have such memorable designs, Belle with her bright white freckles, and Dragon with his bruise-covered back. These details can only be fully appreciated on a big screen. This film deserves to be seen in a cinema, where the emotional soundtrack and the mesmerizing visuals can have their full impact.

Another stand out in this film is its refreshing message. The director depicts the internet like a fantastical place, one that is not immune from evil but that is above all full of possibilities. After countless cynical takes of how social media is ruining a generation, it is stimulating to see something that speaks to a younger audience—one that, especially during the pandemic, has often found solace in online communities. Suzu, like many teenagers, expresses her creativity through an online presence, in an environment that feels safer than the intimidating school courtyard. 

This is not to say that the movie shies away from the ugly corners of the internet. In particular, it critiques commercialization brought through advertisements, which stunt creativity through manipulation and monopolization. In the film, this is embodied by the ‘superheroes’ who come in to remove Dragon. A harsh message is also reserved for those who merely watch, either desensitized or entertained by the pain of others. This is delivered towards the end of the film in a monologue that, though lacking in subtlety, is nonetheless effective. Most of all, however, U is portrayed as a creative space. The avatar assigned represents your inner self, a true ode to individualism. These depictions create a more realistic virtual reality, making the world feel like an authentic snapshot of the internet today.

Unfortunately, a certain reveal regarding Dragon’s character near the end of the film is far from perfect. It might be because we don’t know a lot about him besides his trauma, but the connection between the two feels rushed once it steps in the real world, certainly not as impactful as the one between their avatars. Nonetheless, the ending is satisfying. Suzu’s grief is raw, with feelings of anger and repression making for an honest representation. This takes an ending that might have seemed cheesy out of context and makes it earned, real, and entirely effective.

From the stunning animation to its self-aware script, Hosoda tells a compelling adventure with a revolutionary message for viewers. The animation by itself is nothing short of brilliant, and the film is infused with positivity that is rarely found in sci-fi pieces. A wonderful picture fit for teens and necessary for those tired of a ‘save yourselves’ approach to tech commentary.

The Verdict

With virtual pop stars, dragons and capitalist superheroes, Belle builds an immersive world that depicts the wonderful madness of the internet, while never losing sight of its protagonists. Suzu’s journey, while not revolutionary, is treated with kindness and care, making this story a refreshingly empathetic depiction of teenagers and the internet.

Words by Elisabetta Pulcini

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