Horst in Translation ([email protected]) This is the very first animated short film by Academy Award nominated director Don Hertzfeldt. He was not even 20 when this was made 20 years ago and it's also very short, only runs for slightly over 2 minutes. Basically the director tells us about struggles with women here. The protagonist approaches several women/girls and gets rejected every time, even when he does not even ask them out, but just wants to know what time it is. And the ending is one that some people may see as slightly misogynist, but I believe there is some truth to it. Then again, Hertzfeldt is absolutely known for being always very much over the top in his films. That is just his style. And it is as unique as his animation. If you have seen another work from him, you will immediately know who directed these 2 minutes here. And he actually included some criticism about his main character as well (or males in general), namely that he did not talk to the overweight unattractive girl, but just passes her by. So both sexes are getting their fair share in a certain way. I believe, Hertzfeldt improved during his career and this is not a contender for his best film in my opinion, but it's still worth a watch. 2 minutes well-spent.

MisterWhiplash Though not on the level of insane brilliancy as with Don Hertzfeldt's most recent (within the last several year), Ah L'Amour displays the beginning of the Hertzfeldt logic, only this time in a somewhat more innocent form. In several vignettes we see the act of rejection from women in its most base forms, no matter what is asked there is a violent, murderous reaction with "I just want my space", or "No means no you bastard" preceding it. Hertzfeldt also crumples up the paper and starts all over again with each new try, and its sort of heartfelt in its most utterly crude way. It's like a dash of hopelessness given the finest touch, however not yet totally honed to a point, of dark whimsy. The absurdity of Hertzfeldt is there too, though as a "bitter film" by the director it actually ends much more on that note than with everything else. Oh, and a special thanks to a friend- caffeine!

zstar24 I had rarely laughed so hard at animated violence until I watched Don Hertzfeld's work, and Ah, L'Amour is no exception. If you have ever known anyone who claims a potential significant other ripped out their heart and performed any of a series of mutilations upon it, you will be delighted to watch as these are acted out literally rather than figuratively. This brief yet cynical look at getting the time of day (literally) from a female rings especially true with most college-age males. The final interaction of the main character with a female is perhaps the most bitter comment on the subject ever dared to be stated explicitly. A few women may be offended at this cynical view, but I think most of us can relate and appreciate this bluntly honest view of the way some play the game of love.

tedg The very best thing about Hertzfeldt is his original vision of animated stick figures.This is the very first and has many of the elements that make some of his subsequent work worthy. What's missing is the overt self-reference. The character is clearly himself, but in other works, the drawer is explicit, and often the paper as well.But still funny, if you are a guy. The very same theme occurs in his "rejected" collection where the entire business world rejects the work. But that latter effort is much more clever in that it exploits his OTHER big idea (past the stick figures) the self- reference in the world, not the character.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.