Geri’s Game (1997)

Directed by: Jan Pinkava | 5 minutes | animation, short film | English voice cast: Bob Peterson

‘Geri’s Game’, starring an old man who would guest-star in ‘Toy Story 2’ – as the meticulous toy cleaner – won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. And, it must be said, the animation is indeed beautiful to watch, and a big step forward in human character design, which has always been the major stumbling block in 3D computer animation. Details such as the grooves in the wooden table and the chess box, the way clothes move, and the realistic look of the material of these clothes are also impressive. Finally, the central idea of ​​the story is also very nice. The old man who has no company and is therefore purely on his own for a game of chess is tragic, and has comedic potential. The elaboration chosen here is just perhaps not the best available.

The beginning and end are especially effective. The chess game itself is unfortunately a bit monotonous. The problem is that the game unfolds in a conventional manner and does not exploit the tragedy and absurdity of the concept. There is a fast, dynamic montage that makes the game of chess flashy, while the game itself is slow and contemplative, involving only one player, who is also elderly. In short, the slowness should be the unique, distinguishing aspect of the film.

Now the idea is that Geri imagines that he is playing against a younger version of himself, but there isn’t really any great irony or humorous power in this. What really sticks is the image of the pathetic old man who sits alone in the park and has to enjoy himself. It might have been more advisable to extend this element throughout the film. One of the most beautiful shots is the one in which old Geri stumbles to the other side of the table for the first time to make a counter move. Bent over, with his hand on his side, he tries to make the crossing, only to walk back in the same way after his counter-move. This is precisely where the greatest tragedy and humor can be found, but unfortunately this atmosphere only comes across to the viewer for a short time. It might have been more challenging, but also more rewarding if tension had been generated from this very situation.

What remains now is a beautifully animated film with both an old and a young and spry Geri, who are involved in a blood-curdling battle, in which the smiles of the young variant are still quite entertaining, and the fear in the old Geri is nicely displayed. Still, the film could have been more exciting, harsher, and funnier.