Watch $9.99

The movie $9.99 is an animated Australian drama film directed by Tatia Rosenthal, which tells nine intertwining stories that follow the lives of several residents of a middle-class apartment complex in a nameless city. The movie is based on several short stories by the Israeli writer Etgar Keret, and the title refers to a booklet that offers a wide range of advice on how to achieve true happiness for just $9.99.

The story begins with Dave Peck, a down-on-his-luck 28-year-old who lives with his overprotective father and aspires to find his life purpose. Dave buys a booklet for $9.99 that promises to answer the ultimate question of the meaning of life. Following the pamphlet's advice and guidance, Dave starts to discover more about himself and the people around him. He meets an underpaid angel, who wants to quit his job and become a human, a father who saves up to buy his son a real-life mermaid, an elderly couple who wants to reunite in the afterlife, a lonely office worker who suddenly stops speaking, and a neighbor who communicates with his dog through a translator.

One of the film's most powerful stories depicts a young boy named Ron who discovers he has the ability to communicate with the dead. He finds a ghost haunting an old man in the apartment complex and tries to help him connect with his estranged daughter before it's too late. The story is touching and poignant, as Ron brings the man's painful past to light, and his actions ultimately leave the audience with a sense of comfort and hope.

Another central character in the film is an aging career man named Jim Peck, who lives with his wife and two sons. Jim is a resourceful and thrifty man. He is always looking to save money, but not at the expense of his family's happiness. Jim dreams of retiring but finds it hard to abandon his job security. Jim's struggles provide the basis for his deep relationship with his son, Dave.

The stop-motion animation technique used in $9.99 is distinctive and visually stunning. The film uses a unique and charming style that blends together several different types of animation that change according to the story's tone. Characters have exaggerated facial features, and the bubbly buildings and imaginative landscapes effectively create an alluring atmosphere. It's unforgettable, bizarre, grim, and joyous all at once.

The film features an outstanding cast of voice actors, including Geoffrey Rush as the narrator and Anthony LaPaglia, who plays Jim Peck. Samuel Johnson, who plays Dave Peck, does an excellent job at characterizing a young man struggling to find his purpose in life. The movie's other characters are all distinct and believably complex, and the interweaving of their narratives creates an emotional resonance that should resonate with a wide audience.

The music in $9.99 is another highlight of the film, with crisp and varied tracks that add power to the movie's emotional peaks. The songs are original and hard-hitting and increase the sense of energy in the film.

In conclusion, $9.99 is a stunning piece of art that showcases the lives of various characters in a building complex. It's a film about destiny, interconnectivity, and the human heart, elevated to uncommon heights by its clever screenplay and spectacular animation. $9.99 is a fascinating and ambitious exploration of hope, dreams, and the elusive search for happiness. It's a film that speaks to a wide range of audience types and should be welcomed not just as an innovative animated movie but as an incredibly compelling human drama.

$9.99 is a 2008 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 68.