The Triplets of Belleville 2003

As Madame Souza navigates her daily routine in France with her melancholy grandson Champion, they stumble upon an old variety show featuring the enchanting Triplets of Belleville (Rose, Blanche, and Violette). The program is interrupted, but Souza’s curiosity remains piqued. She turns to Champion, asking if the “film” has come to a close. Champion’s lackluster response and subsequent channel change to a piano concert fail to stir any enthusiasm within him. Not deterred, Souza recognizes her grandson’s affinity for music and pulls out an old piano, attempting to enthrall him with her playing. However, Champion remains indifferent, his spirits untouched by the melody. Souza deduces that her grandson is struggling with loneliness and decides to take matters into her own hands, purchasing a dog, Bruno, in an effort to brighten his outlook. Unfortunately, Bruno’s interests are limited to eating, sleeping, and barking at trains, leaving Champion’s melancholy unaddressed.

As the years pass, Souza stumbles upon a book filled with photographs of cyclists and seizes the opportunity to lift her grandson’s spirits by gifting him a tricycle. Champion becomes obsessed with cycling, eventually competing in the Tour de France. However, his journey is abruptly interrupted when he is kidnapped by a pair of ruthless mobsters in a Citroën van. The criminals whisk away Champion and two other contestants across the Atlantic, leaving Souza no choice but to pursue them on a humble pedalo.

Upon arriving penniless and famished in the United States, Souza and the rotund Bruno are taken in by the elderly Triplets of Belleville, who reside in a seedy apartment. As they settle into their new surroundings, Souza is introduced to an unconventional band featuring bicycle spokes played like a dulcimer, refrigerator-shelf harp, newspaper percussion, and vacuum-cleaner bagpipe. During one of their performances, Souza recognizes the kidnappers and, with the help of the Triplets, orchestrates a daring rescue mission to free the cyclists from their forced labor pedaling a gambling machine. The group makes their escape on the pedaling frame, pursued by the mobsters in Citroën sedans.

In a poignant flashforward, an older Champion watches the old variety show once more as they depart the city, recalling Souza’s inquiry about the film’s conclusion. He turns to the empty bench beside him and solemnly declares, “It’s over, Grandma.”

The post-credits scene reveals the boatman who rented Souza the pedalo patiently waiting for his vessel to return, a humorous nod to the absurdity of their adventure.