The Missing Key

About This Movie

The Missing Key is a fascinating piece set against a 1920s backdrop, where the whimsicality of characters sporting gramophones as heads really sets the tone. It’s an odd blend of surreal animation with a hint of melancholy as we follow Hero Wasabi, a young composer navigating the complexities of art and self-discovery in Venice. The pacing feels a bit slow at times, almost dreamlike, which fits well with the themes of aspiration and the pressures of artistic pursuit. Practical effects are charmingly done, and the character design is both quirky and expressive. The relationship between Hero and his oboe-playing cat, Jacuzzi, adds a layer of warmth and levity amidst the film's more serious undertones. Definitely an interesting watch for animation enthusiasts.

Quirky character designSurreal 1920s atmosphereStrong themes of artistic pursuit