"The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" Animation

This creepy and stylish animation by Bahij Jaroudi brings new life to an old classic by Edgar Allan Poe. "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" is Poe's famous exploration of hideously lingering mesmerism that persists beyond the putrification of flesh and mind. Though barely two minutes long, this concise cartoon adaptation of the story does it the type of justice Poe works deserve. Jaroudi packs a wicked punch composed of loyalty to Poe's prose, dark humor, and a quasi-gothic style into the cartoon, rendering an unforgettable visual face to this work.

The uneasy and tense style used to bring Poe's tale to life is weirdly reminiscent of "Ren and Stimpy" or some other offbeat cartoon from the last couple decades. While some might not enjoy the casual look and visceral depiction toward the end, there is plenty in this cartoon to trump such concerns. The quirky animation and appropriate voice acting is certainly polished enough to make it worthy for presentation in a more deserving form like an appearance on DVD or at a film festival.



-Grim Blogger