The sweetest film about the sweetest bear to ever exist! The Paddington movies have been a staple in the lives of many families since 2014, although he was well-known before this, as he first appeared in media in October 1958, in a series of books written by Michael Bond. Since then, he has become a beloved and classic character in children’s literature and in film. The most recent example of this is the 2014 film Paddington, which Paul King directly developed from Bond’s original stories. The film was an immediate success, receiving critical acclaim and grossing $268 million against a $38 million budget. Additionally, the film went on to receive two nominations at the BAFTAs and has had two sequel films following the successful release of the first film.

It can easily be argued that the appeal of this film stems from the bouba-like (Ramachandran and Hubbard) visual aesthetic of Paddington’s VFX character, as he looks extremely cuddly and sweet. The sequence where the Brown family meet Paddington for the first time is a perfect example of this. The use of mise-en-scene within the shot emphasises the small vulnerabilities of Paddington, highlighting the fact that he’s new to London and has a lack of knowledge about what to do or where to go. The image below is a prime example of this.

The use of low-key warm lighting in the shot above places an angelic glow around Paddington. Alongside this, he is placed within the centre of the shot, meaning the audience’s attention is immediately drawn to him. The light brown colour palette that’s continued throughout the shot creates a comforting and warm feeling, which is amplified by the lettering affixed above Paddington’s head, reading ‘Lost & Found’, as Mrs Brown stands to the left and appears as an almost shadowy figure it implying she holds some place of importance within Paddington’s future. Through the use of cinematography, King can present Mrs Brown as a mysterious figure, as within this shot, the audience is unable to see her face, meaning the audience is curious to learn more about her and the role she holds in Paddington’s life. Furthermore, the angling of the shot above further plays into the comforting and sweet connotations of Paddington’s character as he looks so small in comparison to Mrs Brown. Personally, whenever I watch any of the Paddington films, I always feel a certain maternal and sentimental feeling in relation to the bear. It’s this shot specifically where I feel a strong maternal tug towards him. There’s something about Paddington that makes you want to bundle him up and keep him safe.

When considering this film, I feel it’s important to also consider the origins of the books this fabulous film is based on. As Michael Bond based Paddington Bear on a small teddy bear he noticed on a shelf in a London shop, on Christmas Eve 1956, he bought the bear as a present for his wife. The sweet story behind the origins of Paddington is further enhanced by the bear’s refugee status. Bond found inspiration during World War II, of Jewish refugee children arriving from Europe, arriving in Britain and of London children being evacuated to the countryside. The evacuees wore luggage labels, possibly similar to the one Paddington wears, with the inscription, “Please look after this bear.” Bond reflects on seeing all the refugee children, stating, “They all had a label round their neck with their name and address on and a little case or package containing all their treasured possessions. So, Paddington, in a sense, was a refugee, and I do think there’s no sadder sight than refugees.” Gates, A. (2017). Learning about the bittersweet origins of Paddington’s creation makes the story portrayed in the film even more heart-warming.

The shot of the Brown family at this moment in the film showcases how they have all grown and matured across the film and become closer than ever. As the group stands together, highlighting how they’ve managed to come together to protect Paddington from the villain, Millicent Clyde. King’s decision to use low-key lighting allows the Brown family, primarily Mrs Brown and Paddington, to stand out and showcases their close bond, considering the mise-en-scene of the shot, as each member of the Brown family has the colour red incorporated into their costumes, highlighting the links and close bond between the family and Paddington. As the family is placed centre frame, it allows the audience to fully admire the closeness of the family and how they have taken Paddington in as one of their own, like how families would take in refugee children during World War II.

Paddington’s cultural significance and iconic story can still be appreciated today, with the erection of ‘The Paddington Trail’ in London. The 50 statues of Paddington were placed across London close to key landmarks, museums, parks, and shops. These statues were created by actresses Nicole Kidman and Emma Watson, and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) later held an online auction in November and then a live auction in December for the statues, with all proceeds going to the charity. Paddington’s far-reaching importance can further be shown as comedian and later President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who voiced Paddington in the Ukrainian dubbing of the 2014 film and the sequel Paddington 2. Upon hearing this, Bonneville tweeted “Thank you, President Zelensky” at the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Paddington’s ability to spread kindness and warmth across culture and country is what makes him such a timeless and iconic character within media; this is what will hopefully allow his positive influence to continue for many years more.

Overall, the Paddington movie is a beautiful film that is both aesthetically pleasing visually and emotionally. The story being told is heart-warming and evocative, one that both children and adults can relate to and rewatch over and over again. The film was immensely well-received and was called charming on many occasions by critics. This hugely positive reception led to the release of two sequel films, each arguably equally as charming. The story of Paddington is one that audiences can relate to on many different levels, and it is easy to argue that Paddington will continue to be viewed as an iconic and celebrated character in British media and around the world.

Bibliography:
Michael Bond, Paddington Bear Creator, Is Dead at 91. The New York Times. [online] 28 Jun. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/28/books/michael-bond-dead-paddington-bear.html.