Which ‘Flow’ animal best represents you?

You must watch Oscar-winning animated film "Flow."

A secretary bird has a cat in its clutches in “Flow.” Sideshow/Janus Films

March 22, 2025

2 minutes to read

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I recommend the film “Flow” for all Love Letters readers and listeners.

It’s the movie that won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars a few weeks ago, about a cat that has to survive the aftermath of a flood.

The cat makes friends along the way, but it’s the opposite of a Disney movie about animals who like each other. There’s no cute song to address the emotions and perils. There are no words at all – only a score.

It’s a silent journey from one spot to the next. The cat is scared, excited, resilient, creative, and occasionally full of grief and joy.

“Flow,” an Oscar-winning film from Latvia. Which animal are you? *(Sideshow and Janus Films via AP)*

When one experience is done, the cat moves on. The cat accepts help but also understands when it’s not there.

I want to be more like the cat – seeing life in the moment.

Or the secretary bird. But I think I’m mostly like the cat.

Please watch the movie and tell me if you’re the cat, the dog, the lemur, the secretary bird, or the capybara.

It will mean more to me than Myers-Briggs.

Which 'Flow' animal are you?

And let me know if you’ve watched something that can teach us about ourselves – and our feelings. I’ll share it with the group.

Don’t hate the player

If you want to be fully ready for next week’s podcast episode, one of my favorites, please watch this video game trailer. Then you’ll have a good visual when you need one.

Another hint about the episode:

Bella Ramsey (left) as Ellie and Storm Reid as Riley Abel in a scene from “The Last of Us.” This is an adaptation of a romance that started as a video game. *(Liane Hentscher/HBO)*

Some things to read

I am glad I have opened the column up to more letters about friendship. That said, this one is about friendships and a romantic relationship. Who was this man texting? Does it matter? Consider, please.

This letter, about work and friendship, stressed me out. And I think the letter writer needs to back off.

This letter, about a friend who has secrets, left me with more questions. Do we have to tell our friends everything?

Finally, this is a conversation with our friends at NPR’s LifeKit about what to keep after a relationship ends.

WRITE A LETTER TO MEREDITH

Leaving you with a very braggy photo of the Playbill from Broadway over the weekend. I saw “Glengarry Glen Ross” with a cast that is … very good. It’s a difficult play about toxic people but, these people were nice to see.

— Meredith