The Triplets of Belleville is a French animated comedy film directed by Sylvain Chomet and released in 2003. The film tells the story of Madame Souza, an elderly woman who raises her grandson Champion, a quiet and solitary boy who loves cycling. After Champion is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her faithful dog Bruno set out to find him and bring him back.
During their journey, they meet the Belleville Sisters, a group of aging musicians who used to perform in vaudeville shows in the 1930s. Together, they travel across the ocean to the city of Belleville, a gritty metropolis that seems like a caricature of North American urban life. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and challenges, including a group of gangsters who run a grotesque underworld, a surreal underwater sequence full of odd sea creatures, and a thrilling chase through the streets of Belleville on a bicycle.
One of the key features of the film is its distinctive visual style, which combines hand-drawn animation with computer-generated imagery to create a highly detailed and expressive world. The characters are distinctive and memorable, from Madame Souza's wrinkled face and determined gait to Bruno's exaggerated snout and comical expressions. The music is also an important element of the film, with a soundtrack that mixes traditional French chanson, jazz, and classical music.
In the end, Madame Souza, Bruno, and the Belleville Sisters manage to rescue Champion from the clutches of the evil gangsters and bring him back home, where he can finally enjoy his passion for cycling in peace. The Triplets of Belleville is a charming, whimsical, and heartwarming film that celebrates the power of determination, imagination, and friendship.