LISTMAS—Five Fantastic Foxes In Film
I have a spiritual love for foxes. They seem to pop up throughout my life in different ways when I need comfort or direction. The message isn't always necessarily clear. I'm not saying it's like the movies where I follow a fox into the woods who leads me to a magical hole in a tree. Of course, that tree would end up being the gateway to another plane of existence where yokai who are in jeopardy roam, and only I can restore the balance of yin and yang. It's not like that... But, I've thought about it.
It's more like how when your soul is in trouble, and your brain is too loud. Then a sign appears without rhyme or reason in the form of a fox that brushes against your leg in the driveway after a long night, or a dapper singing cartoon fox on the screen who helps you find the brief quiet and joy you need to keep going. My family believes I have fox magic, Kitsune specifically. It's no surprise they assumed that. They are Okinawan and come from a line of Shinto Priestesses. I'd like to believe it too. Hell, it's even in my last name. Unfortunately, there isn't any way for me to prove to you that I have special fox magic. (Spirituality isn't a thing you should need to prove anyhow.) I do, however, believe in fox magic outside of myself, particularly in the movies.
Foxes in folklore have a special enigma that radiates the feeling of something familiar, yet dangerous, cute, but chaotic. These same traits can be found in some of my favorite foxes in film. Here's a list of five of them.
1. Robin Hood of Disney's ROBIN HOOD (1973)
This movie directed by Wolfgang Reitherman is one of my favorite Disney movies. I watched the VHS on loop as a kid. I loved to sing along, and I found comfort in escaping into a world where justice was simple and always came on time. Robin Hood the fox (voiced by Brian Bedford) was my first crush, and if we're being honest, I would marry that fox even now if it were possible. I always thought I was odd for being so innocently in love with a bandit fox. One search on the internet as a teen showed me that Disney's ROBIN HOOD was the awakening moment of romantic love for many little girls. A soft, cuddly, well mannered dude that robs from the rich to give to the poor, what's not to love?
2. Megan Fox
This woman was underappreciated for her talents even at the peak of her career. Obviously stunning and beyond gorgeous, she oozes charisma, and seems to have an almost witchcraft-like control over how she plays with the power of sexuality. There's no doubt she radiates the danger and charm of a fox. But, she also has a softness and vulnerability in her presence on screen that feels inviting. While she completely killed it in JENNIFER'S BODY (2009), I would still like to see her as a final girl instead.
3. FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009)
This film was a magnificent adaptation of Roald Dahl's book that felt quirky, emotional, funny, obnoxious, and magical. All of these things are traits I associate with Dahl's books. As a devoted stop motion advocate, and fan of Wes Anderson, I had very high expectations for this movie. One of the things that still stand out the most for me is how they depicted the Fox family. For all their complexities, insecurities, and faults, they loved each other fiercely. Loving families have flaws. Let's normalize this. Let's also normalize that being your best self, means actually being your true self. Hopes, dreams, and chicken stealing bad habits and all.
4. Michael J. Fox
If you lived through the 1980s and 1990s, then you know the true power of this particular fox. He even had werewolf powers at one point! I put him on this list, because I will always root for more actors that capture this air of being relatable but cool. It doesn't seem like an act for him, except when it's an act for the character. The movies that speak to me the most are the ones where the characters feel lived in and down to Earth. Even in some far fetched roles like being a time traveler, werewolf, and uptight Republican teen, he always felt accessible. That is a gift for an actor.
5. The Kitsune Wedding dream sequence in AKIRA KUROSAWA’S DREAMS (1990)
Because of the prevalence of foxes, often depicted as “kitsune” in Japanese culture and film/TV, I tried to avoid filling the list with them. But, this one couldn't be missed. DREAMS is a gorgeous movie, and while it may seem blasphemous; it is one of my favorite Kurosawa films. This particular vignette when a child discovers a fox wedding in the woods, always stuck with me. It is so easy to believe that magic exists in nature when you are a child. I do believe that temporarily escaping the physical confines of civilization is an exercise in opening up windows in your mind and heart and letting fresh perspectives in. It's the idea of being out of your element to find out that you ARE the element. In DREAMS, I found the affirmation that my dreams matter.
There you have it. A list of five fantastic foxes in film written by an equally fantastic fox. I kid. But, I do hope at least one of these inspires you to discover or revisit a fox that you love in film. As for me, I hear the call of the Oo-de-lally.
