Pear Cider and Cigarettes

Pear Cider and Cigarettes is an animated adult-oriented feature developed by Robert Valley. The film, released in 2016, showcases Valley’s signature style: vibrant, dynamic animation that draws on a variety of influences. This unique piece of art caught the audience's attention and was even nominated for the Best Animated Short Film at the 89th Academy Awards.

The movie chronicles a gripping narrative of endurance, self-destruction, and the struggle to keep a sense of dignity amidst obscuring chaos. It is both poignant and deeply engrossing. The narrative mostly revolves around two characters, Techno Stypes, who's the reckless protagonist, and the narrator who’s none other than the writer and an animator, Robert Valley himself. The film is cast essentially as an autobiographical account narrated from the perspective of Valley, wherein he shares his experiences and his challenges involving his friendship with Techno.

Techno Stypes, portrayed as a charismatic, hard-living, yet self-destructive figure, arguably forms the fulcrum the narrative hinges on. Techno is introduced as a symbol of free-spirited unpredictability, whose charm and reckless living make him both captivating yet a disaster waiting to happen. On the other hand, Valley plays the diligent friend who goes the extra mile, trying hard to save Techno from his self-induced perils.

Pear Cider and Cigarettes charts the story across various locations, from Vancouver to China, as Valley follows Techno's chaotic life trajectory, bringing about a gamut of emotions in the viewer. Told in an unabashedly frank tone, the movie does not shy away from demonstrating the protagonist's misdemeanors, thereby keeping the storytelling authentic, raw, and arresting.

Aesthetically, Pear Cider and Cigarettes showcases Valley’s artisanal brilliance with its fusion of graffiti, comic book style, and graphic novel design - which, coupled with his dynamic panoramas and fluid lines, gives a sense of kinetic energy that complements the intense narrative. The animation incorporates aspects of pop culture and neo-noir, an intriguing combination that retains the viewer's attention throughout. The distinct animation style helps create a vivid and immersive world that engages the viewer to join the disoriented journey of its characters.

In terms of themes, Pear Cider and Cigarettes delves into the complexities of friendship, mortality, the concept of identity, and the tragic allure of self-destruction. It weaves a human tale of vulnerability and resilience in the face of life-altering situations, exploring both the lengths to which we go for friendship and how self-destruction can prove irresistible to some individuals despite their obvious perils.

Moreover, the sound design and music selection of Pear Cider and Cigarettes help amplify the narrative's emotional depth. These elements play a cohesive role in capturing the thematic tone and the shifting moods of the narrative. The riveting music score enhances each scene's effect to encapsulate the feelings and emotions of the characters and the situations they grapple with, contributing significantly to the movie’s general atmosphere of chaotic nostalgia.

Valley’s narrative style is both gritty and empathetic, and though the story deals with serious issues, the director provides moments of ironic humor, thus giving a balanced treatment to an otherwise intense narrative. Pear Cider and Cigarettes, in some moments, carries shades of tragicomic elements as it dives deep into the layers of human relationships and the human psyche's resilience and brokenness, creating a poignant yet strangely captivating atmosphere.

In essence, Pear Cider and Cigarettes stand out not just for its unique graphic style but also for its compelling storytelling that flawlessly moves between tones while delivering a striking exploration of friendship and human failing. This 2016 movie is a testament to the possibilities of animation as a medium of adult storytelling, pushing the boundaries of style, narrative, and genre. With its raw visual elegance, stirring narrative, and emotional depth, Pear Cider and Cigarettes is a cinematic experience that lingers, long after the end credits roll.