The Ugly Duckling and Me!

The Ugly Duckling and Me!

Year: 2006

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Directors: Michael Hegner, Karsten Kiilerich

ComedyAnimationFamily

The Hans Christian Anderson tale gets a new treatment, this time with a rat trying to exploit the talents of a little ugly duckling for profit.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events unfold in a contemporary setting, with modern urban life evident in the use of a VW Beetle, a tequila bottle, and train travel. The world of talking animals mirrors current entertainment culture and social dynamics. The story hinges on present-day attitudes toward fame, family, and belonging.

Location

Duck-yard, Train, Woods, Carnival, Abandoned amusement park, Volkswagen Beetle

The story centers around a bustling duck-yard inhabited by chickens and ducks, the setting for Ratso's schemes. A journey aboard a train leads them into the woods toward an infamous carnival, and the action ultimately moves to an abandoned amusement park by a pond where swans and other birds gather. The locations blend urban animal life with rustic, natural spaces, underscoring a community bound by survival and showmanship.

🪶 Animal world 🚂 Travel 🎪 Carnival 🌳 Forest 🦢 Migration

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

Main Characters – The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006)

Meet the key characters of The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ratso (Ratso / Frank)

A city rat impresario whose hunger for fame drives reckless schemes. He exploits Ugly as a spectacle to boost his own status and plans to take him to Ernie's carnival. His manipulation reveals a fragile moral compass, yet he experiences a flicker of genuine fatherly feeling, culminating in a reluctant reconciliation with Ugly.

🎭 Showman 🐀 Rat 💰 Ambition

Ugly Duckling

The egg that hatches into Ugly, a creature whose looks mask hidden talents and a longing for acceptance. He endures Ratso's manipulation and undergoes a physical and emotional transformation from hatchling to teenager. By the end, he chooses loyalty to his adopted family and Jessie over Ratso's ambitions.

🪶 Ugly duckling 🦢 Transformation ❤️ Belonging

Jessie

A friendly goose who befriends Ugly and becomes part of the emotional dynamic around Ratso's plans. She notices Ugly's insecurities, shares in the journey, and helps drive the evolving feelings between Ugly and his new circle. Her presence adds warmth and moral nuance to the story.

🪿 Goose 🫶 Friendship

Phyllis

The scheming antagonist who manipulates events to trap Ratso and bend him toward a forced marriage plot. She orchestrates ambushes and uses her family to pressure Ratso, revealing a calculating, power-seeking side of the animal world. Her plans are upended when Ugly's loyalty and revelation shift the balance of power.

🗡️ Villain 🧠 Schemer

Wesley

A worm assistant passed off as the 'longest worm in the world' to boost Ratso's show. He serves as a tool in Ratso's deception, providing comic relief while advancing the plot. His presence highlights the performative nature of Ratso's ambitions.

🎭 Sidekick 🐛 Worm

Ernie

A tabby cat carrying a living hand puppet named William, who acts as a conduit for Phillis's schemes. He participates in the carnival plot and provides a menacing, theatrical presence in the confrontations. His actions escalate the danger for Ratso, Ugly, and their allies.

🐈 Cat 🗝️ Puppet

William

A living hand puppet controlled by Ernie, playing a key role in the showy, chaotic elements of the carnival plan. William adds a surreal, whimsical layer to the conflict and serves as a vehicle for comic and dramatic beats.

🗿 Puppet 🪄 Magical

Fox

A fox who initially reacts with disgust to Ugly, representing the instinctual predator view of outsiders. This encounter underscores Ugly's struggle with acceptance and the evolving social dynamics within the animal world.

🦊 Fox 🧭 Outsider

Swan #1

A swan encountered on the journey who becomes part of Ugly's migrating world, highlighting themes of migration and belonging within the avian community.

🦢 Swan 🧭 Journey

Fox / Swan #2

A dual-identity character who intersects with Ugly's path, reflecting the shifting loyalties and ambiguous roles within the animal society.

🦊 Fox 🦢 Swan

Swan #3

Another swan encountered during the voyage, contributing to the theme of migration and the looking-glass nature of Ugly's world.

🦢 Swan

Chickens

A group of chickens (and other yard birds) that populate the duck-yard and provide a lively social backdrop to Ratso's schemes. They contribute to the atmosphere of the animal community and the comedic elements of the setting.

🐔 Chickens 🧍 Community

Daphne

A friendly duck who supports Ratso's early claims and interacts with the duck-yard community. She provides a counterpoint to Ugly and Ratso's deception and helps propel the plot toward the eventual reckoning.

🦆 Duck 💬 Ally

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

Major Themes – The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006)

Explore the central themes of The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🫶 Found Family

Ratso and Ugly's relationship evolves from manipulation to genuine care. Ugly learns that belonging can come from those who choose him, not just from who he appears to be. The bond deepens as Ugly's needs for love and acceptance are met by his adopted group, not by Ratso alone.

🎭 Showbiz Ethics

The film critiques the price of fame as Ratso plans to exploit Ugly for laughs and spectacle. Ugly's onstage moment becomes a test of integrity when he realizes the manipulation behind the performance. The climax reframes the idea of entertainment from ridicule to mutual respect and honesty.

🦢 Identity & Belonging

Ugly's transformation from hatchling to adolescent swan mirrors a search for self-identity beyond appearances. The narrative probes what it means to belong—whether through lineage, love, or chosen family. Ultimately, Ugly chooses to stay with those who accept him for who he is, not just for what he looks like.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:28

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The Ugly Duckling and Me! Summary

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The Ugly Duckling and Me! Timeline

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