'Paddington' leaves a warm and fuzzy feeling
The marmalade-loving bear from "darkest Peru" takes a charming cinematic adventure in the whimsical Paddington.
Based on the beloved children's books by Michael Bond, Paddington's journey from South America to London is just droll enough for adults — qualifying as a gentle parable about xenophobia — and exuberant enough for the youngest viewers (*** out four; rated PG; opens Friday nationwide).
Orphaned Paddington (sweetly voiced by Ben Whishaw) is forced to leave the jungle home he shares with his Aunt Lucy, due to an ecological disaster. (His aunt goes to live in the Home for Retired Bears in Lima.)
Years ago, his parents had met a friendly explorer who assured them of a warm welcome if they were to venture to England. Ever so jaunty in his floppy red hat, the little CGI-created critter lands in London and is promptly ignored by the hordes of commuters at Paddington Station. Perhaps because they've already seen some odd goings-on between platforms 9 and 10, everyone's unfazed by a furry little bear cub walking upright. (Appropriately, Harry Potter producer David Heyman helmed this project, along with director Paul King).
The plucky ursine furball is finally befriended by the Brown family, or specifically by the free-spirited Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins), who names him after the train station. Her uptight husband,Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville), an insurance risk analyst, wants little to do with a walking, talking teddy bear. Even their children Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) and Judy (Madeleine Harris) seem less than impressed. Eventually, however, the entire Brown family becomes dedicated to the good-natured bear. What's not to love?
That everyone — from passersby to nosy neighbor Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi) and villainous taxidermist Millicent (Nicole Kidman) — takes the notion of a talking bear in stride is part of the silly fun. (Curry fusses that a Peruvian bear will fill their quiet neighborhood with "jungle music and all-night picnics.")
An old-fashioned sensibility (the book series began in the 1950s) amid a modern setting juxtaposes cleverly here. Blessedly free of snark and cynicism, the film indulges in some mild gross-out humor, but it's fairly benign. And Paddington is always kind and exceedingly polite — a lovely role model for young audience members.
Bear-out-of-habitat segments are amusing, sometimes delving into slapstick, with a flooded bathroom scenario and mayhem in a transit station.
Whishaw, Hawkins and Downton Abbey's Bonneville strike just the right notes. Imaginative production design, which occasionally brings to mind Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, adds to the story's appeal.
What's new is a dastardly scheme to capture and stuff Paddington.
Given the tame nature of the Paddington books
It's odd that it's taken so long for such a popular storybook character to get his own movie. He's starred in several TV series, and his books have sold 35 million copies. The stuffed bears are a favorite toy, especially at Christmas. Given the holiday tie-in and the family-friendly subject, it's baffling why the film didn't open in November or December.
But Paddington is in theaters now, and delightfully captures the books' winsome style, heart and distinctly British spirit.