The Rabbi's Cat
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fascinating, clever animated tale not meant for young kids.
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What's the Story?
Set in pre-World War II Algeria, THE RABBI'S CAT is based on director Joann Sfar's graphic novels and follows the fantastical tale of a rabbi (voiced by Maurice Benichou) and his lovely daughter (Hafsia Herzi), whose cat gains the ability to talk after swallowing a parrot. With his powers of speech, the cat (Francois Morel) begins to question whether he, like his master and mistress, is Jewish. After discovering a young Russian Jew hidden in a shipping crate, the rabbi and his cat follow the strapping Zionist across Africa -- with the help of a distant cousin who's a Muslim scholar -- to find the African Jews of Ethiopia.
Is It Any Good?
GKids follows their 2012 double Oscar nominations for best animated film (Chico & Rita and A Cat in Paris) with yet another sophisticated, substantive animated tale from another country. Sfar and his co-director have managed to adapt Sfar's adventurous graphic novels to the big screen with a beautiful palette that makes Algeria come alive and shines a light on the rarely explored history of the Sephardic Jews who lived there before World War II.
Although the movie's many subplots are interesting, a few characters seem unnecessarily introduced -- like the rabbi's desert journeyman cousin "Lion Malka," who figures prominently in the books but has little to do in the movie. But the cat's myriad observations about religion and life are both educational and entertaining (and occasionally hilarious). And audiences will learn as they're sucked into a story with messages that are still relevant -- particularly the relationship between the rabbi and his Muslim cousin. This cat speaks the truth, and THE RABBI'S CAT is an animated adventure worth reading subtitles to see.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the cat teaches the rabbi and what the rabbi teaches the cat. How do they change each other's lives?
Even though the movie is about a cat, is it meant for/appropriate for young children? Do animated movies have to be targeted at young audiences?
What are The Rabbi's Cat's messages about race and religion? Is the historical context of the movie -- pre-WWII, French colonial Algeria -- confusing for those who aren't familiar with it? How could you find out more?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 7, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: May 7, 2013
- Cast: François Morel, Hafsia Herzi, Maurice Bénichou
- Directors: Antoine Delesvaux, Joann Sfar
- Studio: GKIDS
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, History
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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