Ernest & Célestine 2014

Celestine, a young mouse residing in the underground realm of rodents, grapples with the foreboding tales spun by her caretaker, the Gray One, who crafts frightening stories about the bears that dwell in the world above—a narrative that Celestine struggles to fully believe. Despite her passion for art, she is expected to follow in her fellow rodents’ footsteps and pursue dentistry. This obligation leads her on an adventure above ground to gather lost teeth from the beds of sleeping cubs. However, one fateful night, while on her quest, she is discovered by a bear family and finds herself cornered in a trash can, where she spends an uneasy night.

The next day, a hungry grizzly bear named Ernest stumbles upon her predicament and contemplates making a meal of her. Yet, Celestine cleverly persuades him to spare her life by offering to help him break into a nearby candy shop, where he can satiate his appetite. Unfortunately, their heist does not go as planned—Ernest is apprehended by the shopkeeper, and, burdened by her backlog of tooth collections, Celestine strikes a deal to save him. In exchange for her assistance in rescuing him from the police wagon, he agrees to aid her in robbing the teeth from the office of the shopkeeper’s wife, who just happens to be a dentist.

What initially begins as a successful operation soon turns into a frantic chase, with both rodent and bear authorities hot on their trails. In a daring move, the duo successfully commandeers a van, fleeing to Ernest’s secluded cabin. Though reluctant to share his space, Ernest and Celestine soon bond over their shared love of art and storytelling. He candidly shares that his current struggles stem from his rejection of a conventional career in law—one decided by his family—in favor of pursuing his dream of becoming an entertainer. They spend a blissful winter together, but it is tempered by constant updates from the radio about the ongoing manhunt for them and the mounting civil unrest among the oppressed citizens of both societies.

As Spring approaches, the authorities catch up with them, tracing the stolen vehicle to Ernest’s hideout. In a dramatic twist, the pair find themselves facing simultaneous trials—Ernest with the rodents and Celestine with the bears. As they voice their dissent against the unfair treatment and systemic bias that exists within their communities, the furious judges remain unmoved. In a bold act during their trial, they challenge the judges to recognize their cruelty toward the lower classes. Just as tensions escalate further, a fire erupts in the courthouse, causing panic among the spectators. In a stunning act of selflessness, both Ernest and Celestine stay behind to rescue their respective judges, who soon realize their subjects have abandoned them.

In a display of unexpected humility, the judges, confronted with their own failings and the sacrifices made by those they oppressed, drop all charges against the pair and concede their request to remain together. Unable to grasp the meaning of true companionship, the judges and citizens of both communities stand in shock as the courthouses burn around them.

Now reunited in the warmth of Ernest’s cabin, the duo embarks on a new adventure: crafting a whimsical book that recounts the tale of their remarkable friendship—though with a few creative liberties, given Celestine’s wishes to alter the memory of their first meeting when Ernest had considered her a meal.