The Point
directed by Fred Wolfe
starring Ringo Starr
MVD Visual
The Point is the tale of a boy named Oblio from a land where everything (even their heads) has a point. Yet, he is born round-headed, so eventually he and his dog Arrow are banished to the Pointless Forest. There they encounter a wild variety of characters (some pointy, some bouncy, some rocks) with points of one kind or another for lots of clever puns and double entendre fun.Â
The songs go smoothly along with the story, and on their own. You may remember the hit “Me and My Arrow” from the early ’70s, though any one of the songs here can playfully lighten the mood any day. This story and its music seem to sift through the years timelessly. Since its initial release in 1971, through various releases and reissues over the years, it retains its charm and innocence without a year/date stamped on it. It might lose a great deal of that charm if it was the latest digital 3D animation spectacular. But I would still buy the DVD of it just for the special features, which as a hardcore Nilsson fan, are what had me salivating over this release. The special features here are “Who Is Harry Nilsson?,” “Pitching the Point,” and “Legacy of the Point,” all three comprised of comments from Harry’s widow Una, some of his kids, and quite the roster of his musical friends and associates (here’s a few: Eric Idle, Micky Dolenz, Robin Williams, Terry Gilliam, The Smothers Brothers, Van Dyke Parks, Yoko Ono, Al Kooper, Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Brian Wilson). They appear much in the same fashion as the documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson and Why Is Everybody Talkin’ Bout Him?). Another feature, “Making the Point,” is of course the story of making the movie with director/animator Fred Wolf. Â
A couple of points worth mentioning: this version is narrated by Ringo Starr (there are also versions of it out there somewhere narrated by Dustin Hoffman, Alan Thicke, and Harry), and Nilsson’s music is wholly Beatle-approved. The Point is perfect for children and adults, so gather round for a break from the harsh, sharp tales of this world and have a tour through the pointless forest.
MVD Visual: http://mvdb2b.com
