A Monster in Paris

A Monster in Paris (Un monstre à Paris, 2011) is Bibo Bergeron's animated adventure you can watch online on iFILM. It's 1910, the Seine has flooded its banks, and a mysterious creature is prowling the night and frightening the whole city.

Two unlikely heroes set out to catch it: Emile, a timid film projectionist, and his restless inventor friend Raoul. The chase throws them together with Lucille, the warm-hearted star of a Paris cabaret, an eccentric scientist, and his cranky monkey. The monster, it turns out, is nothing to fear at all — beneath the scary shape hides an oversized but gentle flea with a gorgeous singing voice. Now the new friends have to shield him from an ambitious police chief itching to turn the hunt into a spectacle.

This French musical features the voice of Vanessa Paradis and songs by the musician Matthieu Chedid (-M-), whose soundtrack carries half the film's charm. It's a soft, faintly melancholy fable about finding love and beauty in the most unexpected place — even an insect. A lovely pick for family viewing. Stream A Monster in Paris (2011) online on iFILM.