One of my big regrets is not going to see an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s machines when I was in Italy many years ago.
As a child, I only knew of him as a painter, and then mainly due to the fame of the Mona Lisa. It was when I got older that I learned about the man’s extraordinary drawings, inventive mind and astounding engineering prowess.
‘The Inventor’, a new film released on Friday, 15 Sept., captures the latter part of da Vinci’s career, bringing his visions to life in a mix of gorgeous stop-motion and 2D animation. Rather than focusing on his paintings (although the Mona Lisa does have her cameo), the story instead looks at his studies of the stars; his groundbreaking work on human anatomy; and, of course, some of those amazing machines.
Written by Jim Capobianco, known for ‘Ratatouille’, it is a unique take on a man who was so much more than just an artist, and will entertain all ages (although the very young might have difficulty following along). It’s educational and inspirational all at once.
One of the most exciting facts about this movie is that local producer Jeremy Walton of Moo Studios is listed in the credits. Many will remember him from ‘Bright Spot’ and ‘The Great Disconnect’ documentaries with Tamer Soliman.
“I was brought into this project three years ago, by the same producer for whom I’d helped to finance another film,” Walton said. “Moo Studios had a long history of animation work, so we could immediately see that ‘The Inventor’ would bring something both fresh and classic in its portrayal of the last years of Leonardo da Vinci that would appeal to adults and children alike.”
Story
It all starts with da Vinci and his compatriots in Italy, where he and the Pope’s opinions (let’s just say) diverge somewhat regarding what projects he should be working on. Luckily, French King Francis I is very happy to welcome him to his court in France, and so the artist moves to settle in the Château du Clos Lucé in 1516. The king is impressed with da Vinci’s skills (and is very keen to have a statue of himself fully realised by the master), but it is his sister Marguerite de Navarre who particularly champions the artist’s ideas and sees the greatness in what he could create. Together, they visualise the ideal city, where innovation and design would eclipse all those previously conceived.
Animation is the perfect medium for this subject matter, converting da Vinci’s drawings into reality before our eyes. We are all reminded of how forward-thinking he was, and perhaps imagine what he might have achieved if he’d lived in our times.
However, no matter his successes, the one thing that eludes the man who was as much a scientist as an artist, is his search for the secret of the human soul. This quest is mainly rendered in 2D animation, which is beautifully coloured and drawn. Does da Vinci discover the secret? You’ll have to watch it for yourself to get the answer.
Beyond the visuals, Alex Mandel’s songs and music add to the viewing experience without overwhelming the story. The movie clocks in at just over 90 minutes and moves at a nice pace. It’s a lesson in history (with some artistic licence) told in a creative way.
Cast
The film features a strong vocal cast, with Stephen Fry as da Vinci, Daisy Ridley as Marguerite and Marion Cotillard as Louise de Savoy, mother of Francis I. Matt Berry also enjoys a humorous turn as Pope Leo X, who becomes incensed with da Vinci’s interest in working on cadavers, rather than war machines.
Opening date
‘The Inventor’ is opening in 800 screens around the US – the biggest-ever theatrical release of an independent animated film. It is also launching at the Camana Bay Cinema on 15 Sept. Buy tickets online here.
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