In 2003, a children's story arrived on shelves and proved to be a popular and critical hit, even winning a Newbery Medal for its contribution to the children's literature landscape. The story is called The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread and it was written by Kate DeCamillo. I was unaware of the book until the movie was released. Now it's arrived on DVD and Blu-ray and it seems to be as good a time as any to check it out.
I guess it should come as no surprise that the story traces its origins to the literary world; as I watched it I got a distinct "this is a book" feeling. It is a feeling I cannot quite put my finger on, but it is one that came through as clear as day. There is something in the dialogue, something in the way the characters are written and made to carry themselves, it is in the mannerisms they display — all of it points towards the written page of a book, much more than an original screenplay. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it is just the way it comes across.
As for the story itself, it consists of a trio of plot threads intertwined into a tale of hope, of breaking with tradition and forging a new path that says much about who you are. It also seems a bit unfocused and struggles to come together at its conclusion. I also find it a little odd that the film does not open with the titular mouse, but with a rat called Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman) who plays both sides of the protagonist/antagonist coin.
Set in the land of Dor, we learn of the town's love for soup, the accident that causes the soup to stop flowing, and why the rats are banished to the underworld. In the midst of all of this is little Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a mouse with big ears who does not think like a mouse. Instead of cowering and nibbling, he dreams of being a gentleman who embarks on courageous quests.
His story takes him into the world of humans where he makes friends with Princes Pea (Emma Watson). Unfortunately, his journey is not looked upon kindly by the mouse council, so he is banished to the below, where he finds the dangerous Ratworld. It is here that he becomes friends with Roscuro and together they seek to bring back the soup.
Oh yes, there is also Miggery Sow (Tracey Ullman), a heavyset servant girl who dreams of becoming a princess. These tales come together as the desires of some are twisted and damaged while Despereaux remains true to his beliefs.
Article comments