The Secret World of Arrietty
(B or 3/4 stars)
Based on popular books (The Borrowers), 'The Secret World of Arrietty' (written by the great Hayao Miyazaki, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi) tells a quaint little animated tale of a special little girl. Arrietty Clock (voiced by Bridgit Mendler) is a teeny tiny 14 yr. old who lives with her parents (voiced by Will Arnett, Amy Poehler) in the bottom of a countryside home, unbeknownst to the homeowner & her housekeeper (voiced by Carol Burnett).
Like all little folk, Arrietty remains hidden from view, especially during covert adventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" simple items like sugar & tissues from her human hosts (whom they call human 'beans'). But when 12 yr. old Shawn (voiced by David Henrie), a human boy who convalesces in the home, discovers his small, mysterious housemate one night, a secret friendship emerges. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty & her family from the home they've made (beneath the floorboards) & straight into danger. The lonely Arrietty risks said friendship with the lonely Shawn. But at what cost?
Set in an enchanting locale where the potential for movie magic is everywhere, I enjoyed this beautifully hand drawn animated movie. Especially early on (when we're shown Arrietty's cavernous makeshift home, and watching her go on a venture with her father for supplies), I felt transported to this wondrous storybook world. 'The Secret World of Arrietty' is aimed, I would say, for small children (similar to Studio Ghibli's last film, Ponyo). Smalllll children. But that's fine. I'm sure parents will be eager to hear their little one's pipe down for 90 min. & be entranced. Older kids may be terribly bored; as there are several lulls in the story's progression (I even wanted more pizzazz). And yet, I can't really complain, because ...
Most animated films nowadays are hopelessly idiotic, frenetic, brash, & noisy. I appreciate the sophistication of these Japanese animated films (this is dubbed in English, obviously). And I also like that their films are slightly odd. i.e., they usually blend a Japanese respect for nature with Victorian architecture & Caucasian-looking Japanese characters. Sounds strange, right? But guess what, it works every time {haha}.
'The Secret World of Arrietty' is a story about the emotional turmoil that comes with adolescence. Arrietty has grown up longing to meet other people (big or small). Shawn is sickly, and in need of a friend. 14 & 12 are tricky ages for children who are looking for companionship. And there's great sensitivity in the execution of this loneliness theme. As mentioned, Studio Ghibli films always exhibit beautiful, lyrical animation. There's something meditative about it. And that blends well with the small, gentle theme of adolescence, here. That is what separates this film from so many other inferior animated ones.
Now, there are more than a few sequences that go by with little-to-no dialogue; which will test the patience of many. As our lead character, Arrietty makes for a sweet, if somewhat bland heroine. Also, there's no villain in the story, so to speak. The constant threat of the human 'beans' is present for Arrietty - but you never get the sense that something horrid will actually happen. And, if I'm to be honest, since the film is so quiet and so minimalist, you have to kind of fill-in-the-blanks (YOU bring the emotion, because it's not always on the screen). The last 10 poignant minutes are wonderful. But if you didn't click-in to the soft, melancholy story early on, the ending is one that may prove to be ineffective to some. As is, I was won over.
Like all little folk, Arrietty remains hidden from view, especially during covert adventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" simple items like sugar & tissues from her human hosts (whom they call human 'beans'). But when 12 yr. old Shawn (voiced by David Henrie), a human boy who convalesces in the home, discovers his small, mysterious housemate one night, a secret friendship emerges. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty & her family from the home they've made (beneath the floorboards) & straight into danger. The lonely Arrietty risks said friendship with the lonely Shawn. But at what cost?
Set in an enchanting locale where the potential for movie magic is everywhere, I enjoyed this beautifully hand drawn animated movie. Especially early on (when we're shown Arrietty's cavernous makeshift home, and watching her go on a venture with her father for supplies), I felt transported to this wondrous storybook world. 'The Secret World of Arrietty' is aimed, I would say, for small children (similar to Studio Ghibli's last film, Ponyo). Smalllll children. But that's fine. I'm sure parents will be eager to hear their little one's pipe down for 90 min. & be entranced. Older kids may be terribly bored; as there are several lulls in the story's progression (I even wanted more pizzazz). And yet, I can't really complain, because ...
Most animated films nowadays are hopelessly idiotic, frenetic, brash, & noisy. I appreciate the sophistication of these Japanese animated films (this is dubbed in English, obviously). And I also like that their films are slightly odd. i.e., they usually blend a Japanese respect for nature with Victorian architecture & Caucasian-looking Japanese characters. Sounds strange, right? But guess what, it works every time {haha}.
'The Secret World of Arrietty' is a story about the emotional turmoil that comes with adolescence. Arrietty has grown up longing to meet other people (big or small). Shawn is sickly, and in need of a friend. 14 & 12 are tricky ages for children who are looking for companionship. And there's great sensitivity in the execution of this loneliness theme. As mentioned, Studio Ghibli films always exhibit beautiful, lyrical animation. There's something meditative about it. And that blends well with the small, gentle theme of adolescence, here. That is what separates this film from so many other inferior animated ones.
Now, there are more than a few sequences that go by with little-to-no dialogue; which will test the patience of many. As our lead character, Arrietty makes for a sweet, if somewhat bland heroine. Also, there's no villain in the story, so to speak. The constant threat of the human 'beans' is present for Arrietty - but you never get the sense that something horrid will actually happen. And, if I'm to be honest, since the film is so quiet and so minimalist, you have to kind of fill-in-the-blanks (YOU bring the emotion, because it's not always on the screen). The last 10 poignant minutes are wonderful. But if you didn't click-in to the soft, melancholy story early on, the ending is one that may prove to be ineffective to some. As is, I was won over.