American pop

American Pop is a American adult animated musical drama starring Ron Thomson and produced and directed by Ralph Bakshi.

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The film starts in imperial Russia during the late 1890s, a young rabbi's wife and her young son Zalmie escape to America. Shortly after their arrival in New York City, Zalmie is recruited by Louie, a performer at a burlesque house, to hand out chorus slips. When Zalmie's mother died in the triangle shirtwaist factory fire, he begins working with Louie full time and aspires to become a singer.

 

This film explores different generations of musicians from the same family as they all have different aspirations as some don't want to be a musician but feel that they have no choice as their elder relitives try and force their passion into them.

 

When I watched this film, I have to say for an animated film, this felt like watching a real film as I mean by saying that, the camera angles and the cinematography felt like it was shot in live action. The majority of this film was shot by using a rotoscope, so that might explain why it feels so real which is a kind of charm that Ralph Bakshi brings to his films. Another thing that I liked about this film is that it was experimental with designs and different styles such as background design as they also experimented with vibrant colours by using watercolour which I think gives that organic textured look to the shots. This film also explores some elements of live action by using a green screen which I feel adds to that realness of the film. Ralph Bakshi and this film is a huge inspiration to me as to this date it still looks visually stunning and I would love to create something as special as this one day.

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Over all I give this film 5/5.