Disney has a way with storytelling that even if it seems like a tale would be a saccharine filled journey, it rides right up alongside too-sweet and sticks the landing in the most heartfelt of places. That is certainly the case with The One and Only Ivan, airing on Disney+ starting August 21.
Bryan Cranston stars as the owner of a mall-based “circus” that features the titular gorilla as its headliner. They’ve seen better days, but Cranston’s Mack is ever optimistic that he can turn it around. He used to “pack ‘em in” with Ivan (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and Stella (an elephant voiced by Angelina Jolie) leading the show. That was then, and this is now. Mack is going to have to do something to save the small circus that is not only his livelihood but also that of his right-hand-man, George (Ramon Rodriguez)—who does everything from running the spotlight during the show to feeding and taking care of the animals. George seems to celebrate bring your daughter to work day, every day, as his daughter, Julia (Ariana Greenblatt) is also a fixture at the Big Top Mall. Mack’s show also includes a rabbit who drives a fire truck, a basketball-loving seal, a baseball-playing chicken, and an incredibly refined poodle (voiced by Helen Mirren).
Inspiration strikes as our leader brings in a baby elephant named Ruby (voiced by Brooklynn Prince) who does exactly what Mack thought would happen—people lining up once again to see his animal show. After all, everyone loves baby animals. The most surprising thing occurs, just as Ruby arrives, Ivan shows an aptitude for drawing. Julia gifted the gorilla crayons and paper. One day, he just picked them up and suddenly he was the “Picasso Primate!” The baby elephant is nervous, unsure of herself, and not necessarily the perfect headliner, so the timing of Ivan’s artistic discovery is impeccable.
Something else comes into play at this moment in the story and it should serve as a great opportunity for parents to talk with their children about animals and the varying degrees of confinement. Up until this point, The One and Only Ivan was pure amusement, and from here on out filmmakers are as much about enlightenment as they are entertainment.
This narrative occurs in the most organic of means in Mike White’s screenplay (adapted from the beloved book by Katherine Applegate). The groundwork had been laid as Ivan talked with his pals—particularly his “best friend,” the dog Bob (voiced by the always awesome Danny DeVito)—and it is revealed that the big guy doesn’t remember much of his childhood. Ivan only knows that from an early age he was in Mack’s life. Mack raised him after he was orphaned, and that devotion and adoration are pure and impeccably captured by CG artists who created the gorilla. It feels authentic and that is the highest praise one can give those computer animators.
This journey down the free versus captivity road commences after Ruby arrives. She sleeps next to Ivan and always requests a story before bedtime. When she presses him on one particular evening to fire those synapses and divulge his youthful memories before Mack, he has a revelation. The gorilla amazingly recalls what the grass under one’s feet feels like and what a gentle breeze feels like as it flows through his fur.
An idea is hatched. With Ivan leading the way, they are going to escape. See, from where Ivan sits… he can see what looks like a forest that sits on the other side of a busy street.
Circuses have long been treasured by audiences for its enjoyment factor, but also its ability to introduce children to a wide array of animals, from lions, tigers, and bears (oh my). The same can be said for zoos. Different zoos have varying levels of openness for their animals, from the wickedly constrained to wide-open spaces of the San Diego Wild Animal Park. As the twentieth century morphed into the twenty-first century, discussions have permeated the circus and zoo communities. It makes its way into The One and Only Ivan in a manner that is simultaneously palpable and personal. Kids are natural question generators and what better way to broach how humans and animals co-exist in 2020 than with a film such as the one that airs on Disney+ on August 21.
As Ivan handles the issue, it’s not simplified for the film’s youngest viewers. That is one of the smartest things that White and director Thea Sharrock did with Applegate’s story. Children love zoos and adore circuses and we don’t want to ruin that experience, but at the same time, they need to know about animals in captivity and how important it is that they have adequate space for all of their needs.
I was supremely impressed with the third act of The One and Only Ivan. It is a storytelling arena that is ripe with thorns and nothing was sacrificed so that it could still carry that Disney banner. This should surprise nobody. After all, this is the studio that introduced countless kids to hunting and how it firmly means death with Bambi. I’ll never forget witnessing the film as a child and the litany of questions that rushed through my head as the fawn’s mother perishes. Now, what happens in Ivan is nowhere near Bambi’s emotive power on this issue. But filmmakers do not shy away from the “D” word. In fact, as Ivan’s backstory is unveiled, his fate in some ways mirrors Bambi’s.
Cranston is sublime. Mack is a man who cares deeply for his animals, but at the same time, he is a businessman. That conflict manifests itself in mostly unspoken ways that require an actor of the Breaking Bad stars’ talent level. Also, there are moments where Mack is not all that likable. There’s the thinnest of needles to thread for Cranston where he has to be authoritative while never losing the audience. We want him to succeed. As chronicled through White’s stellar adaptation, the actor is given the best chance to do just that. During that third act I spoke of earlier, a thespian of less mettle would have produced a different emotive response. Thanks to the Emmy winner, the final act is as emotionally rewarding as live-action Disney films can get.
The voice cast is just astounding. Oscar-winner Rockwell brings so much richness to his characterization of Ivan. This is a complicated soul. His awareness of the past is integral to Ivan having a future that is of his choosing. There are countless nuances that the actor brought to the recording booth that gave his director a myriad of choices while editing together the film. Rockwell has long been one of my favorite performers because of how physically animated he can get with each role that requires it—Seven Psychopaths, anyone? Bringing that same aptitude to a voice-only performance is a supreme challenge. The combination of directorial vision from Sharrock and Rockwell’s innate gifts added up to a title character worthy of its moniker.
Now Prince, as Ruby the baby elephant, may have the most vital role in the entire film. It is her arrival and subsequent exploration of who she is that drives the notion of freedom versus captivity. The young actress, who blew doors opposite Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project, illustrates why folks are so excited about her potential with each frame of The One and Only Ivan. There is a nativity meets innate moral compass that is integral to the entire story even working. She is a bright light that illuminates this entire film.
DeVito has a blast with his second Disney flick in the last 12 months—and both involve circuses! After playing the circus master in Tim Burton’s Dumbo in 2019, the acting legend nails the stray dog BFF of Ivan. Jolie is Stella, the old(er) elephant who is meant to mentor Ruby. She does much with what she was given, which isn’t all that much. The Oscar winner finds herself at the other end of the vocal spectrum with her portrayal of Stella in Ivan versus the auditory command she emitted as Tigress in the Kung Fu Panda movies. Meanwhile, fellow Oscar winner Helen Mirren brought regal-ness to her poodle Snickers. She has a few moments to shine and doesn’t have the biggest part. She makes the most of it (shocking, I know!). Also stellar in supporting roles are Hamilton breakout Phillipa Soo as Thelma and singing legend Chaka Kahn voices Henrietta.
Disney+ is the perfect forum for The One and Only Ivan. During these uncertain and challenging times, families need something more than mindless entertainment. As parents, we hope that what our children inhale visually is something that can help them grow as members of the human race. That is exactly what occurs with the streaming service’s latest film. There is much to celebrate with Ivan and his journey, as well as all those diverse souls who orbit his world.
Grade: B+