One Rat Short is a story of chance and star-crossed lovers. It’s also the perfect example of good realistic CG animation. Director Weil and his animators revel in their medium and utilize it to the fullest.

A New York sewer rat happens upon an open Cheetos bag and follows it through a roof-top fan into a laboratory. In this laboratory are lab rats, including a rather fetching one who catches the hero’s eye. Notice my lack of gender specificity–as a filmgoer, I assume the white rat is the female… but as an rat owner, I cannot.

The whole short takes place in real time, except a period of unconsciousness for the sewer rat, which sort of amplifies the tragedy.

Weil’s direction is magnificent; Sherman Foote’s music is lovely. One Rat Short is outstanding, both technically and narratively.

It’s nice to see something so purposefully precious actually succeed.

Highly Recommended

CREDITS

Written and directed by Alex Weil; director of photography, Todd Winter; edited by John Zawisha; music by Sherman Foote; production designers, Michael K. Frith, Christian Scheurer and Todd Winter; produced by Bryan Godwin.