The Point (1971) ****
The Point (1971), a childhood and family favorite of mine, is a humorous, poignant, and trippy fable about tolerance, inclusion, and individuality. Based on Harry Nilsson's excellent sixth studio album, The Point!, released the same year, and brought beautifully to life by director/animator Fred Wolf, the animated film is the story of one Oblio, a child born with a round head in the Land of Point, a village where everything has a physical point (buildings, art, food, and everyone else's head).
Oblio and his trusted dog Arrow are eventually banished to The Pointless Forest, where the duo meet many unusual characters and learn life lessons. Originally airing as an ABC Movie of the Week, the film has had four narrators over the years—Dustin Hoffman (first telecast), Alan Barzman (second telecast), Alan Thicke (third telecast on The Disney Channel and the version that I grew up with), and Ringo Starr (home video releases).
The message is delivered a bit heavy-handedly (though still important and relevant), some of it makes no sense (part of its charm), and the film drags a bit here and there, but The Point is weird, wonderful, filled with memorable dialogue, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
Oblio and his trusted dog Arrow are eventually banished to The Pointless Forest, where the duo meet many unusual characters and learn life lessons. Originally airing as an ABC Movie of the Week, the film has had four narrators over the years—Dustin Hoffman (first telecast), Alan Barzman (second telecast), Alan Thicke (third telecast on The Disney Channel and the version that I grew up with), and Ringo Starr (home video releases).
The message is delivered a bit heavy-handedly (though still important and relevant), some of it makes no sense (part of its charm), and the film drags a bit here and there, but The Point is weird, wonderful, filled with memorable dialogue, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
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