‘My Father’s Dragon’ (2022) Review: A Hero’s Journey of Growth
Nora Twomey’s My Father’s Dragon is inspired by Ruth Stiles Gannett’s fantasy novel of the same name. It’s a story about a young boy who runs away from home after a disagreement with his mother and finds himself on Wild Island to rescue a young dragon. The animated movie hails from Cartoon Saloon, an Irish animation studio behind The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers. Twomey brings an inspiring and charming tale set in a surreal world. Cartoon Saloon is known for its distinctive style and stories, such as folkloric and mythical tales that explore ethnographic experiences around the world. With My Father’s Dragon, Twomey, who directed The Breadwinner, takes a gamble and brings a kid’s tale to the streaming platform that is tonally and visually different.
The movie opens with an unseen narrator (voiced by Mary Kay Place), who recounts the story of her father’s life many decades ago. Elmer (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) and his mother, Dela (voiced by Golshifteh Farahani) run a small-town grocery store where everyone’s needs are taken care of. But when the recession hits and Dela loses the store to foreclosure, she and Elmer are forced to move to Nevergreen City. They move into a cramped attic apartment and Dela promises Elmer that they will open a new store very soon. However, she struggles to make ends meet and things aren’t easier at home due to her son’s false optimism about the new store. When Elmer welcomes an alley cat into their apartment, his mother becomes furious. He runs away from home and races through the narrow streets of the industrial city and ends up at the docks. To Elmer’s surprise, the cat reveals that she can speak (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg). The cat ushers him to an adventure on Wild Island and reveals that there is an “amazing, spectacular, real live, flying, fire-breathing dragon waiting for him.” When Elmer reaches the island, he learns that he must capture the enslaved dragon, Boris (voiced by Gaten Matarazzo) and rescue the animals before the island sinks into the ocean.
My Father’s Dragon is essentially a story about a young boy and a candy-striped dragon that must face their fears. It’s a journey that takes them on an adventurous quest to help Boris turn into an “after-dragon.” At the heart of the story welcomes a forbidden, psychedelic world with monkeys, cheetahs, and a patriarchal gorilla, Saiwa (voiced by Ian McShane), who holds Boris captive. There’s a bit of mystery surrounding the reason why Wild Island keeps sinking. Why is there a bright, white fire lit on the top of the island? Why must Elmer and Boris find the all-knowing turtle? The dragon’s final form, which seems to be in a questionable shape, and the connection between the dragon and the island are what binds these elements together.
The constant rapport between Boris and Elmer is quite charming. Tremblay and Matarazzo bring these characters to life with their charming appeal. Elmer and Boris’ personalities are vastly different. While Elmer has things figured out, Boris is constantly insecure about his instincts. Their journey from strangers to friends is a learning lesson for both of them. Elmer realises that he doesn’t always need to figure things out by himself and realises that he can rely on others for help. In return, Elmer’s reassurance and encouraging words lift Boris’ spirit and in turn, he learns to trust his instincts. It’s a lovely journey that shows a growing friendship and mutual growth — a classic hero’s journey that everyone needs. Elmer and Boris’ friendship express tenderness and they learn how to push each other into greatness. By the end of the film, Elmer and Boris help each other to overcome their fears and accept the harsh realities of the new world.
My Father’s Dragon is a touching story about the fears of the world. The story provides a way for the characters to adjust to the world surrounding them. Twomey creates an emotional journey and a surprising tale of growth that fits the enchanting world of Elmer and Boris. My Father’s Dragon’s clean and hand-drawn style makes the movie look visually stunning. It looks like a dream sequence that just won’t end. The team behind the animated movie and Cartoon Saloon, once again, proves that they can combine visually stunning images and tender, inspiring stories to fill the hearts of their viewers.
