Peter Rabbit, Review: Fertile comedy

Peter Rabbit is an irreverent, computer-generated (largely) animated comedy, based on a 125 year-old story that has been updated to present times. Most of the story undulates as a never-ending, recurring chase, and battle of wits, between the live action hero and the cartoon animals, in Tom and Jerry style. While it should appeal naturally to kids in the age-group of 3-12, some adult-ish content makes it more relevant to the 13-18 bracket. Adults, who are favourably inclined towards cartoons and still have an active child in their hearts, would have some fun too.

In England's poetic Lake District Peter Rabbit, his distant cousin Benjamin, and his triplet sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail (rabbits are known for their fertility), spend most of their days picking on lonely landlord Mr. Joe McGregor, and stealing vegetables from his garden. They are friends with a neighbour named Bea, who spends her time painting pictures of the rabbits, as well as the surrounding nature. Bea takes on a mother-like relationship with the rabbits, who have already lost their mother and father. One day, Peter accidentally leaves his jacket in McGregor's garden and goes back to retrieve it. McGregor spots and catches him, but, suddenly, dies of a heart attack, triggered by years of gluttony. Delighted, Peter invites all of the woodland critters, and they take over McGregor's old house.

Meanwhile in London, Joe's distant nephew Thomas works at Harrods department store, where he waits for a promotion. He coldly accepts the news about his uncle's death, but is infuriated over not getting the promotion, in spite of some real hard work, misbehaves, and is fired. When he learns that his uncle's house is big and valuable, he decides to go and refurbish it, so he can sell it, and start his own toy store, to rival Harrods. He kicks out Peter and his friends and begins to secretly wall-up the garden, despite Bea's objections. When Peter and Benjamin sneak back into the garden, Thomas catches the latter and takes him in his car, to drown him in a lake.

Peter Rabbit is based on The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a British children's book, written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter (no relation of good old Harry) that follows mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit, as he is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He escapes and returns home to his mother, who puts him to bed, after dosing him with tea (the film deviates here).

The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter's former governess, Annie Carter Moore, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter, in 1901, after several publishers' rejections, but was printed in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co., in 1902. Potter patented a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903, and followed it almost immediately with a Peter Rabbit board game. Disney had offered to buy film rights, but Potter refused. Quite obviously, Potter is the Bea in the tale.

The 2018 screen version is written by Rob Lieber (Hoot; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; Goosebumps 2) and director Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends with Benefits, Annie). It is perfectly conceivable that both gentlemen are fond of Tom and Jerry (who isn’t?) and draw their inspiration from the timeless MGM/Warner cartoon series (this one is a Sony Animation product).

Tom has been upscaled to the two McGregors and Jerry has been divided into a rabbit family. There are other animals/birds around, for support, and a supportive woman as well. One scene, wherein Thomas accidentally drops the binoculars gifted to him by Bea (to watch birds), into the lake and his diving in to retrieve it is particularly well-written. That little detail about how rabbits make-up with each other by their unique from of apologising adds colour to the story.

As director, Gluck makes sure that substantial live action is in place, sometimes stand-alone, other times blended seamlessly with the computer images. Some Brechtian (theatrical device, popularised by Bertolt Brecht) distancing is employed, with a voice-over that provides self-deprecating humour. Among the rabbits, the jokes related to ‘who, among the triplets, is the oldest’, and ‘what exactly is the relationship with Benjamin’, draw laughter.

Also generating chuckles are the exchanges between the fox and Peter, and the solo-loquies of the cock, including some of the musical kind. What the animals do to prevent buyers from moving into the house is predictable yet enjoyable. Similarly, the use of traps and other modern security contraptions, first by Joe and Thomas, and later by Peter and Co., as tit for tat, creates several fun-coated thrills. Chases after chases lead to some monotony, but this fact might concern only older audiences. Likewise, the way Harrods is presented. Wonder whether they agreed to such a negative description. On the other hand, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Peter Rabbit has an international cast, from countries like the USA, England, Ireland and Australia. Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Revenant) as Thomas McGregor suits the role of an uptight, snooty Londoner. His change of heart, too, comes across naturally. Rose Byrne (X-Men, Insidious, Star Wars) as Bea, the nature-lover, is quite natural. Sam Neill as old man McGregor has a small role, as has Marianne Jean-Baptiste (The Moment, Robocop, Training Day) as the General Manager, Harrods. James Corden provides the voice of Peter Rabbit, a competent job. Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley perform the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, while Colin Moody is Benjamin.

Peter Rabbit reminds us that human values are pretty much the same in 2018 as they were 1893. The commandment of “Love thy neighbour,” is at the core of the narrative here, dates back to Moses, and is one of eternal validity. Further, the movie adds another dimension quite effortlessly: that of concern for the habitat. Along the way, it condemns nepotism and highlights joint efforts as well.

You may not want to stand-up and applaud while watching Peter Rabbit. But as the voice-over tickles you with the name of the film itself, do sit back and smile.

Rating: ***

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ittn4f0Em4