I found A Cat in Paris to be a very good film. Although it is rather short, perhaps too short, it is very well animated with ethereal colours, beautiful sceneries and a fantastic atmosphere that is both thrilling and nostalgic. I agree however that how tiny the feet were drawn was a form of annoyance. The music was both haunting and charming, almost like listening to a score by Bernard Hermann. The story is not the most original story in the world, but I didn't see it as a bad thing, seeing how slickly paced, vivid, affecting and humorous A Cat in Paris was. The characters also engage, with the best being the title character, a strutting observant sort of cat, and the little girl who is sweet and moving, and the voice acting is dynamic enough too. In conclusion, a very good film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I'll cut to the chase. "A Cat of Paris" was Oscar-nominated in one of the worst years in recent memories for the category of Best Animated Feature. Considering that the mediocre (at best) film "Rango" won and films like "Puss 'n Boots" and "Kung Fu Panda 2" were also nominated, I think I can rest my case. "A Cat of Paris" is really no better and is a film I could have skipped.

The movie is told using a very simple looking animation style and looks a bit like another nominee that year, "Chico and Rita". The drawings appear a bit crude and the film has a very non-Hollywood look. Some might like it--I just thought it looked less than Oscar- worthy. Now it it NOT because I expect all animated films to look like Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks films--but I would have expected for with an Oscar nominee.

The story is about a cat who spends its days living with a mute little girl. However, at night when she sleeps, it slips out and hangs with a thief with a heart of gold (a bad cliché, I admit). Later, when the child is caught up with a vicious group of gangsters, the thief and cat come to her rescue.

I found myself only moderately interested in the film. It's not bad but it wasn't particularly inspired. I think had it NOT been nominated, I actually would have enjoyed it more, as my expectations were awfully high but the film couldn't match them. Additionally, I was a bit surprised how nasty and scary the gangsters were, as it seems a bit too much for younger viewers--which is unusual for a cartoon.

The cat in Jeanne's house is not just the family's pet. As night falls over Paris, the feline goes looking for adventure, pairing up with Nico, a burglar, who has a knack for breaking into homes while the people are asleep. A dangerous occupation, indeed. Zoe, who is Jeanne's daughter, is overseen by a nanny, an older woman whose real identity has not been exposed. To complicate matters, Jeanne, a police detective, is pursuing a criminal, Victor Costa, who is responsible for her husband's death, something that has left little Zoe unable to utter a word.

Costa and his gang are after the Colossus, a statue with whom the gangster identifies and would like to possess. One night, little Zoe goes after her cat, after it goes in one of the nightly rounds following Nico, the burglar. She discovers a world of danger lurking outside the security of her home and is befriended by a kind Nico. Zoe discovers the duplicity of her nanny who works closely with Costa and his gang. Jeanne and the police go after Costa, getting in a final confrontation that will pay off two ways, the apprehension of the evil man and the miracle of Zoe regaining the voice she lost.

A surprising anime from France, "Une vie de chat" is wonderful in the way it tells a story with animation. Directed by Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, the film will delight adults and children. The dialogue is by M. Gagnol and Jacques-Remy Girard. The artists behind this project succeed in the way the story unfolds on the screen as well as the choice in the casting of the characters. Dominique Blanc is heard as Jeanne. The great Bernadette Lafont is the evil nanny. Bruno Solomone gives life to Nico. Jean Benguigui is the evil Costa and although she does not speak until late in the film, a sweet voiced Oriane Zani makes a good Zoe.

An enjoyable animated film for all ages.