CHICKEN FOR LINDA! -- A Short and Sweet Hand-Painted Movie for All Ages

Review by Camden Ferrell

If one were to look at the most recent slate of Academy Award nominees for Animated Feature, one would find films about multiversal threats, existential fantasy with complex elements, and a shapeshifter on a city-saving quest among others. In the midst of the limitless imagination and high stakes of animation, it’s also nice to find some more subtle and low-stakes journeys such as Robot Dreams, another Oscar-nominee from this past year. Chicken for Linda! is another example of simple animated storytelling that strips down its storytelling to its bare bones and finds beauty regardless. This French film from directors Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach uses beautiful hand-painted imagery to give audiences a short, simple, and sweet film that is low-stakes, relaxing, and enjoyable.
 
Linda is a young French girl who gets accused of giving away her mother’s prized ring. After unfairly punishing her, Linda’s mother Paulette discovers that Linda was not guilty of the act for which she had been disciplined. Feeling guilty for her unjust actions, Paulette agrees to fulfill a request from her daughter, a meal of chicken and peppers. Paulette, despite not knowing how to cook, sets forth to make this meal for her daughter in spite of ongoing labor strikes and other obstacles. This is a very simple premise that almost feels too bare at first, but the filmmaking team does a great job of making the most of its setup.
 
Written by Malta and Laudenbach, the movie’s dialogue is straightforward and undemanding yet does a fantastic job of characterizing its players. The movie is able to effectively convey the characteristics of both Linda and Paullette while communicating their relationships and unique mother-daughter dynamic. From a story standpoint, it does a lot with little. With such a simple jumping off point, the movie is able to creatively tell its story in a way that is unique but doesn’t sacrifice its charming simplicity.

One of the most distinctive aspects of this movie is its animation. It has a gorgeous and unique style that pops out to the viewer. It uses color-blocked characters in an engaging and visually impressive way that helps tell its story more effectively. There are also a handful of sequences in the movie that enter into a realm of fantasy that is fun and vibrant.
 
While it’s a cute and charming story with great animation, its main flaw can sometimes come from its occasional moments of convolution. As events spiral out of control for Paulette, certain narrative beats can feel like they briefly abandon the film’s simplicity, and the story suffers as a result. However, these flaws are far and few between, and the story recovers nicely.
 
An adorable animated feature that both adults and kids will enjoy, Chicken for Linda! is yet another example of the joy and beauty that can be found in low-stakes storytelling. It makes the most of its simple premise and manages to be visually dazzling as well. It’s not perfect, but at seventy minutes, there’s no reason not to watch it.
 
Chicken for Linda! is in theaters April 5.
 
Rating: 4/5