The Breadwinner

Director Nora Twomey’s film is about the ways we try to cradle each other from the harsher realities of life. This is a day-to-day survival story that stirs the heart and fires the imagination.

Twomey gives The Breadwinner ballast, binding it to the real-world history that serves as its basis, and elevates it to realms of imagination at the same time. It’s a collision of truth and fantasy.

So urgent and far-reaching that it never settles into the comforts of a coming-of-age story, The Breadwinner is a small film about the biggest things. It’s engaging from start to finish, but Twomey — to her great credit — prioritizes stoicism over sentimentality.

At times the film shows itself an outsiders-looking-in take on the culture it depicts.

For all its heart and beauty, The Breadwinner sputters a bit to a close. Its themes are undeniable — one walks away feeling angry and empowered. But with the story’s soft focus, one soon forgets why.

While it is more of a kids’ story, Anita Doron’s screenplay contains layers and subtleties that adults are sure to appreciate.

Cross-dressing in the story is merely a tool for survival, but such border-crossing is inevitably rife with unintended consequences beyond narrative ones.

A powerful and emotional story about gender roles, a really well executed massage. Characters that are feel very human and unforgettable experience of a movie. This is a must watch for everyone. This is another fantastic film from cartoon saloon that is one of the best animated features of all time!

A negative score for this movie? They are a monster. I probably thought it was better than what others thought, but here I go. It's a beautiful tale **** who cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy to provide for her family in Afghanistan, as Taliban (a sexist terrorist group) threatens them. As the country is on the brink of war, they must flee, but Parvana must look for her father. Then there is also a fairy tale (will not spoil it) with beautiful animation. I have not seen "The Secret of Kells" but I want to. I recommend, but it can get very dark at some times.

I always love Cartoon Saloon when it comes to their movies. While they only have (to date) three animated films, the Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and now the Breadwinner, they are one of the best animated studios making beautiful animation with unique character design, interesting and stimulating visual layouts of backgrounds and worlds, and constantly changing from styles and storytelling. For this film, the Breadwinner is the company's most political and arguably personal film. While the story is fictitious, as the original author interviewed refugees from Afghanistan to depict Taliban-era life, specifically for women who live during this patriarchal period, it will definitely resonate with anyone, largely female, who have been either oppressed or doubted. But really anyone can get behind the film's central character and family through hardship, happiness, triumphs, and sadness, and getting a perspective on another life!

The Breadwinner is an intriguing, suspenseful, and exotically animated experience. Full of heartfelt character relationships and a thought-provoking parable that will leave you curious of its meaning.

Really good visually but the story plods along a bit. Voice acting is decent.