The Last Unicorn (1982)
The Last Unicorn is unlike other animated pictures, so much that I wonder why it appealed to me so much as a child. Often bittersweet and scary, I was happy to find that it held up after all these years.
In an enchanted forest where winter never comes, a unicorn (Mia Farrow) learns she is the last of her kind. On a journey to discover where the others have gone, the unicorn meets a young magician named Schmendrick (voiced by Alan Arkin) and a bitter but hopeful woman named Molly (Tammy Grimes). They embark on the trail of the Red Bull, said to be the cause of the unicorns’ disappearance.
Based on the novel by Peter S. Beagle, this film is layered with themes children won’t grasp immediately, but adults will appreciate. This is a melancholic story that examines the relationship immortals have with the rest of the world, what it means to be everlasting, and the transformation of a young girl into a woman.
The unicorn is an atypical protagonist. She does not feel love, nor regret. For the most part, she isn't concerned with much. If she makes a mistake or squanders an opportunity, the same situation will present itself again, in time. Compared to her, everything else, everyone else is gone in less than a blink of an eye. Her inability to change drives most of the plot and helps shape her relationship with the various humans she encounters. For example, she meets more than one person who sets to imprison her. They know she will escape eventually, but capturing her means they will be remembered by someone who will last forever. Enduring past death is present throughout. There’s talk of Robin Hood and his merry men, people that will never fade away even though they are fictional (even in this story). There’s a talking skeleton who talks about his memories, how powerful they can be. Other characters perform great deeds to obtain their share of immortality. It's fascinating to see how each of these people relates to this idea of lasting forever.
The Last Unicorn is a story with a distinct look and feel. The musical numbers and animated medium make you think it'll be spry and lighthearted. Generally, it's sad. Throughout, intelligent ideas are discussed, the characters make mistakes and are called out on them. They feel joy, disappointment, sorrow, anger on this quest to ensure that the magic of the world does not fade away. In terms of visuals, you'll recognize the style immediately: it's by Topcraft, who also illustrated the late 70s version of The Hobbit and The Return of the King. The atmosphere created is enchanting and unmistakably of this era. Combined with its themes and the soundtrack by America, it keeps you guessing right until the end. If there had been happy-go-lucky songs about going off on an adventure with friends, you’d know how the film would end. Here, you don’t.
Two scenes make it short of perfection. The first concerns a pop-culture referencing butterfly who proves himself more annoying than funny. The second is a song about 2/3 into the story, Now That I’m a Woman. The lyrics are appropriate and elegantly bring forward the theme of growing up - credit to songwriter Jimmy Webb - It's the performance that botches the moment. I’ll forgive Mia Farrow, however. Her performance generally gives depth to what could've been a vapid character. All the actors are quite good in their roles. This is a stellar cast by the way. Angela Lansbury, Allan Arkin, Christopher Lee, Jeff Bridges, and of course, Frank Welker.
I don't think a cult-following is good enough for The Last Unicorn. Even just on the surface, there’s much more here than you find in your middle-of-the-road animated or fantasy film. (On DVD, June 19, 2016)
