As long Ghibli Studios exists, we'll never run out of anime films where a pre-adult crosses paths with the supernatural, and that seems to be true even with Miyazaki now retired. When Marnie Was There is this year's Oscar contender, exactly in this vein, with Anna, an asthmatic girl goes to live with relatives in the countryside for the summer and stumbles on a ghost girl who helps her overcome her isolation, awkwardness and self-loathing. The standard of animation is quite strong, of course, and the story is replete with levels of meaning. Though that's not where the plot actually goes, there's definitely a Sapphic undertone to the girls' relationship that may inform the character of Anna for those who want to explore that aspect of it. Ghost, imagination, memory? The film keeps a certain ambiguity that need not be resolved. All levels co-exist. And while I'm always a little nonplussed about anime - very rarely am I enthusiastic about it, though I respect it - and was quietly interested and no more through most of the running time, it got me at the end with a well-judged and subtle reaction from one of the ancillary characters. Perhaps that's where the film's true strength resides: In its astute portrayal of human emotion.
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Siskoid
As long Ghibli Studios exists, we'll never run out of anime films where a pre-adult crosses paths with the supernatural, and that seems to be true even with Miyazaki now retired. When Marnie Was There is this year's Oscar contender, exactly in this vein, with Anna, an asthmatic girl goes to live with relatives in the countryside for the summer and stumbles on a ghost girl who helps her overcome her isolation, awkwardness and self-loathing. The standard of animation is quite strong, of course, and the story is replete with levels of meaning. Though that's not where the plot actually goes, there's definitely a Sapphic undertone to the girls' relationship that may inform the character of Anna for those who want to explore that aspect of it. Ghost, imagination, memory? The film keeps a certain ambiguity that need not be resolved. All levels co-exist. And while I'm always a little nonplussed about anime - very rarely am I enthusiastic about it, though I respect it - and was quietly interested and no more through most of the running time, it got me at the end with a well-judged and subtle reaction from one of the ancillary characters. Perhaps that's where the film's true strength resides: In its astute portrayal of human emotion.andyreilly
This is an absolutely beautiful film, much as you would expect coming from the magnificent Studio Ghibli. Highly recommended.RockHopper92
Really nice movie. Exactly what you should expect from Ghibli. It's also one of the only movies to make me teary eyed sober.cmart5711
Ngl, not the first movie I've seen where someone is weirdly attracted to their grandmother. Do with this information what you will.Princess_Of_Snails
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.Heathie89
Another tear-jerker worthy film. Have some tissues handy.Craggles
Beauitful but entirely empty,alexpawlak
Open your mind, take a deep breath and click on play ! :-)Enjoy your life !
_gsec
Looked great. Not much else to the film though. Very dull and boring.filmyjo
Beautiful Animation, but painfully slow and boring movie. Liked The secret world of Arrietty much better.