Whisper of the Heart
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Movie Reviews of Whisper of the Heart
Movie Review: The hearts of Ghibli shines
Summary: 5 Stars
Whisper of the Heart is a wonderful adaptation of Aoi Hiiragi's manga work and who does it better than the guys at Ghibli. Master Hayao Miyazaki with Yoshifumi Kondo direction, you see how real this animation is about the life of a girl name Shizuku. I won't go into too much detail as others here have already provided more than enough information on this outstanding gem like all of Miyazaki's animated production films. I just like to point out that the ending could of been more heartfelt than it was in my opinion. For those who haven't seen this movie yet...stop here and go rent this for the whole family to enjoy.
** spoiler **
The scene where Shizuku's dad tuck the blanket over her in bed than showing the night sky as it fade to the credits would of been a sad but worthy ending. It's more realistic and acceptable then to have Seiji show up at her place early in the cold morning on his bicycle from out of nowhere and ask her to come ride with him to somewhere is a bit odd when he should be in Italy learning to become a master violin builder. Now here is where it got a little wierd...the ending where he basically propose to her to marry him after taking her on top of this hill to see the sun rise. I mean how many guys would ask a girl to marry him when they haven't even gone out yet?!? Then again, maybe that happens more than not in Japan but not really here. Nevertheless, it does not hurt this charming movie one bit as I still highly recommend everyone to watch this animated movie. Great theme song on country road, top notch dubbing, especially the Baron voice over by Cary Elwes, which continues on in the sequal, The Cats Return.
I'm a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki's animated work and have seen Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, Castle in the Sky, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, The Castle of Cagliostro, Howl's Moving Castle and a few other gems, which i will provide a review on some of them in the future.
Movie Review: The true feminine spirit & the antidote to hollywood
Summary: 5 Stars
Hard to believe, but there are places on earth where people are making movies that do not have the standard doses of hollywood toxins. Films that don't play to the lowest common denominator of esthetics and attention span, without shallow sentimentality or arrogant brutality, without the requisite nihilism of postmodern sophistry. This movie is the antidote to all that, and it came from one cluster of brave people who live in Japan: the Ghibli studio. Be forewarned, once you taste the real thing - and Whisper of the Heart is a prime example - you may not be able to go back to the schlock that Hollywood dishes out. Which will pretty much keep you out of the cinema in the U.S. Sadly, the total output of Miyazaki and Ghibli is maybe a dozen films, not all yet translated to English - but at least they HAVE made the magnificent films they have.
I put this film in the top 10 of any cinema I've ever seen. Story, music, design, every aspect is just right, an absolute work of Art. As with all Ghibli productions, in the first 5 minutes you'll forget it's animated. This film succeeds at encapsulating something that's essential and priceless for literally anyone, child or adult. I'd challenge anyone not to fall at least a little bit in love with Shizuku, or rather, the true feminine spirit she represents.
An additional benefit of watching this film is that you'll have some new, more interesting words to the old John Denver song. Trivia: the tall fellow who plays the tambourine is modeled after the landscape artist Inoue Naohisa, whose art created the fantasy sequences in the film.
Movie Review: A Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie, produced by Studio Ghibli (the same company that produces Miyazaki's movies) is a gem. Unlike all of Miyazaki's movies, this one tells in a very poetic way a story about credible young people, their coming of age, and their growing awareness on their dreams and aspirations. It is also a beatiful love story between two children who are discovering that they seem to be made for each other.
This is also one of those movies that will remind you of your school years, and I find amazing the accuracy with which children's emotions are depicted. Indeed, this is something I really appreciate about most of these Japanese directors: the ability of depicting children for what they are, rather than as cute mature and witty "little" adults, as much of Hollywood instead does.
As in virtually all of Studio Ghibli's movies, the drawings are beautiful, some of them breathtaking, and the characters are lovable and well constructed. One of the major "characters" is a cat that will certainly end up loving!
If you liked this movie, I would also strongly suggest you to look for another two Studio Ghibli movies that share the same genre. One is "Ocean waves" (which centers around the complicated love-hate relation between two high school student), and the other one, which is absolutely wonderful, is "Only yesterday", the story of a young Tokio woman who rediscovers herself during a vacation in the countryside. I think both of them (especially the last one) are true masterpieces.
Movie Review: Can Fantasy Be Found On The "Concrete Road"?
Summary: 5 Stars
I like John Denver's "Country Road" as well as that by Olivia Newton John. They give me the memory of my high school days when I sang the song in English.
Shizuku Tsukishima of this story does the amazing. She makes the Japanese language version of the song at the age of 14! (Miyazaki-san is also involved in the Japanese lyrics). Other than that she is ordinary but bit like Anne Shirley of the Anne of the Green Gables. She is a bookworm just like my elder sister. She likes borrowing books on fantasy novels. With Miyazaki/Kondo combination ordinary suburban Tokyo life was made much vivid and real. Characters' conversation is often interrupted by the rushing autos. Sounds so real. Violin featured Country Road is really nice. I just hope I want to explore the inside story written by Shizuku Tsukishima much further. Maybe you can enjoy the sequel? of that Shizuku's story at THE CAT RETURNS movie. Cat figurine BARON and drifting cat MOON(MUTA)also make the movie special. Miyazaki's brilliant scene cuts shines even at suburban Tokyo and the last sunrise scene is excellently described. Yeah Miyazaki and Kondo tell us we can find a little bit of fantasy in urban life. Shizuku's mother's eco-friendly attitude is cool as well.
Verdict: Wonderful coming of the age movie by late Yoshifumi Kondo.
Rating: 97 out of 100. Makes me want to go back to Junior High School Days.
Recommended for: Every Ghibli fans who may like The Cat Returns and My Neighbor Totoro.
Movie Review: What? No Fantasy From Studio Ghibli? How Unusual!
Summary: 5 Stars
Still, I loved it! It's a highly detailed, entertaining movie.
"Whisper of the Heart" has no fantasy element. The movie is about a young girl going through some emotional introspection, experiencing love for the first time, and trying to figure out what to do with her life. It's nothing serious, she's just growing up, yet the story is compelling enough to hold your attention.
The animation is great! Small, subtle, details pop up everywhere [just watch], giving this story and setting fantastic depth. The background sounds are just as full and thought out, of passing cars and bicycles, and other ambient details.
Each of the characters in this film are well portrayed, from Shizuku's parents and sister, to her friends, and the old shop keeper. [I loved the impromptu jamb session with the shop keeper, two of his friends and Shizuku singing "Country Roads".]
Now there is a surprise! The main theme song of the film is "Country Roads" by John Denver, though they have a female vocalist. At first it seemed a little out of place in an Anime, but it doesn't take long to fit right in.
[Note: This is 'sort of' the prequel to "The Cat Returns", and in fact the 'Barron' is in this story. However here he is only a statue, and nothing more. He comes alive within Shizuku's story, and the animation sequences of Shizuku's story telling are lots of fun. But in "Whisper of the Heart" he is just a statue.]