you should netflix this (IMDB link) →[More:]

The above link leads to the IMDB page for the bizarre, wonderfully dark-artsy animated feature The Triplets of Belleville. Now, of course I rushed out and rented this immediately back when it was released in 2004, and have fond memories of watching it. However I recently re-acquainted myself with the film over the weekend, as my SO had never (!) seen it. and he calls himself a bike racer, pfeh.

i'll go out on a limb and guess that most bunnies likely have seen or heard of this one simply 'cos it's too awesome not to have been Metafiltered or something. But on the odd chance you haven't seen it, or gave it a miss because of the content or because it seemed incomprehensible, well then... you should by all means get your paws on it.

the central theme involves a sad, orphaned boy, and the touching and unconditional love of his grandmother, who displays superhero-like awesomeness in order to assist him in his goal of becoming a Tour De France champion. oh and the dog is hilarious. trains really piss him off, and he dreams adorable doggy dreams in black-and-white. not to mention the frog-bombing sequence never fails to positively double me over in hilarity (its so wrong, and so funny at the same time... um, just don't ask)

First of all, even if you have NO interest whatsoever in cycling, but enjoy weird dark fairy tales, cabaret, jazz, Josephine Baker, Django Reinhardt, Fred Astaire, phenomenal soundtracks, old Steamboat Willie-style hand-drawn 1930's style animation, Fractured Fairytales, ironic French humour, dark satire, or just subculturesque arty weirdness in general, you should see it.

Second of all, if you have any interest at all in cycling, you should see it. especially anyone who follows pro European cycling, as you will enjoy the witty, subtle in-jokes, including the resemblance of certain characters to cycling's legendary Golden Age heroes (1950s-70s, i.e. Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil) - not to mention some ironic plays on the current sordid state of affairs within pro cycling (doping, gambling, insider corruption, etc.).

bonus: if you hate subtitles, rest assured - there are none. Mainly because the whole thing is told in pantomime, sound effects and the incredibly expressive facial features of the animated characters, there's practically zero dialogue. Trust me, this movie doesn't need any.