While browsing the DVD shelves at a store near where I work before heading home for the day (and weekend, yay!), I was surprised to come across a Studio Ghibli film I hadn't heard of before: When Marnie Was There. The cover shows two girls at the seaside on a sunny day. Not to give too much away, but that's a pretty deceptive cover right there. Anyway, I decided to give it a try, since I have yet to watch a Studio Ghibli film that I completely dislike, and many of their films are among my favorites, anime and non-anime alike. It's not a Miyazaki film (Hayao or Goro), of course (although the animation could certainly pass for it), and it's not even an Isao Takahata (which might be good in a way, because that man can spin a story in a way that makes me cry *hard* absolutely every time, without fail). The director here is Hiromasa Yonebayashi, alongside producers Toshio Suzuki and Yoshiaki Nishimura. The whole cast and crew deserve props for pulling this movie together, because, while I may be saying so prematurely in this critique, they have created a beautifully pieced-together storyline that unveils itself in layers combined with gorgeous hand-drawn animation. The moonlit marsh at night combined with intricately detailed houses that range from a cozy cottage with intimate, comfortable rooms to a lavishly decorated mansion that boasts copious amounts of space and luxurious views. It is evident that so much heart and care were put into this production.
The story follows a troubled young girl named Anna who ends up on a journey for the improvement of her physical, mental, and emotional health, and she ends up finding so much more than she ever thought possible: friendship, love, a sense of self, and basically ... herself, her own story, past, present, and possibly future. There is a melancholy air to this story, but with a feeling of hope. It didn't make me bawl my eyes out on a Takahata level, but it does have an emotional depth that certainly did make me realize I had a few tears sneaking their way out of the corners of my eyes. There are some lighter moments of humor peppered throughout, which is great, because I can certainly appreciate a movie that makes me both laugh and cry.
It is my understanding that Studio Ghibli reportedly took a "short hiatus" after making this film, which has caused more than a few rumors to generate that this could possibly be their last movie, especially after Hayao Miyazaki's retirement. I truly hope that these are mere rumors and that there will be no truth to this speculation. Granted, one of my few gripes (and it's barely a gripe, just commentary) about this movie is that it does start out slightly formulaic, as I was vaguely reminded of the beginning of Spirited Away. However, there's nothing wrong with starting out with a template of sorts and moving forward with a more original storyline, or at least going in directions few have taken in the world of anime film-making, if not movie-making in general.
So, let's get to the rundown of my review.
Positives:
Great storyline, beautiful animation, and another fine Studio Ghibli movie to enjoy for years to come.
Negatives:
A feeling of deja vu when first watching the movie, which may or may not be experienced by other viewers, but I was feeling it. While I don't mind a slight formulaic pattern here and there, I would prefer for Studio Ghibli to take the risks it used to, but with the gaping hole that Hayao Miyazaki's retirement leaves, their hesitance is a bit understandable. Also, this movie may also be a little too emotional for some viewers' liking, especially for an animated movie - it really depends on what you like, as a whole.
Overall Assessment:
I feel that Studio Ghibli made this movie not to prove a point, but to find their roots in enjoying the process and the end result of creating a beautiful animated movie that families the world over will love. I feel that this company still has a lot to offer in terms of making such movies, and Marnie makes an excellent case in point. I recommend this movie to those who love Studio Ghibli, anime in general, or for anyone looking for something new, heartwarming, and even cathartic. It is a beautiful movie with a great story, and I personally think you would be missing out to pass up on this one.
