In his most recent film, “The Fox,” Austrian filmmaker Adrian Goiginger draws from his own family’s history to narrate the life journey of his great-grandfather, Franz Streitberger, from his upbringing to his role as a soldier during World War II. Despite incorporating recordings of Streitberger recounting his experiences, the film falls short of achieving the deeply moving impact it aims for.
The narrative commences in 1927, portraying young Franz living within a struggling family in the rural Austrian mountains. Due to financial hardship, Franz’s parents place him in the care of a wealthy farmer, where he labors for a decade. This separation from his family instills in him a deep-seated mistrust of others. In 1937, seeking stability rather than driven by a sense of duty towards the looming war, Franz enlists in the military. Three years later, amidst World War II, Franz, now assigned as a motorcycle courier, stumbles upon a wounded baby fox in the woods, seeking solace after facing humiliation from his comrades.
An immediate bond forms between Franz and the fox, leading him to smuggle the animal onto the military base for medical attention. Unable to part ways with his newfound companion, Franz hides the fox in the sidecar of his motorcycle. As Franz spends more time with the fox, he begins to yearn for human connection, even drafting a letter to his estranged father. Despite fleeting encounters with a local woman in occupied France, Franz’s devotion remains with the fox. However, the harsh reality of war eventually forces Franz to confront the inevitable separation from his beloved companion before being deployed to the Russian front.
“The Fox” endeavors to explore the brutality of war, delve into the emotional journey of an introspective man confronting his past, and highlight the instant bond between human and animal. Achieving a harmonious balance between these themes requires nuanced direction to avoid coming across as contrived. While some viewers may find the film emotionally compelling, it personally lacked resonance for me.
Initially, I attributed my lack of emotional connection to my lifelong disinterest in films featuring adorable animals. However, I must acknowledge the well-executed scenes depicting Franz and the fox, which even captivated someone like me, known for my generally stoic demeanor.
However, my primary critique of the film lies in its attempt to evoke profound emotions while maintaining a certain emotional detachment from the audience. It falls short in exploring deeper layers beyond simplistic notions of war’s brutality and the innocence of animals. This reluctance to delve into the complexities of World War II and Franz’s involvement with the German army results in a narrative that feels underdeveloped.
Despite its visually stylish cinematography reminiscent of living snapshots in a scrapbook, “The Fox” fails to fully explore important themes such as love, humanity, and the senselessness of war in compelling or emotionally resonant ways. Ultimately, it feels like Goiginger does not fully do justice to his great-grandfather’s story, leaving potential richness unexplored.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Story | Follows Franz Streitberger’s journey from childhood to his time as a soldier in World War II, focusing on his bond with a wounded fox. |
| Emotional Impact | Falls short of delivering the intended haunting and moving impact, with some viewers finding it emotionally compelling while others, like the reviewer, did not feel emotionally connected. |
| Themes | Tackles the brutality of war, explores Franz’s emotional journey, and portrays the bond between a human and an animal. |
| Cinematography | Stylish cinematography reminiscent of living snapshots in a scrapbook, contributing to the film’s visual appeal. |
| Depth and Complexity | Criticized for lacking depth and complexity, particularly in its treatment of war and the protagonist’s character development. |
| Engagement | Keeps viewers at a distance, with a tendency to avoid delving into deeper themes and character complexities. |
| Overall Assessment | Despite its visually appealing style, the film falls short in evoking profound emotions and exploring its themes in compelling ways. It is seen as a missed opportunity to fully do justice to the protagonist’s story and the larger themes it aims to address. |
