'WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE': Three Stars (Out of Five)
A Japanese anime flick; which was nominated for Best Animated Feature, at the upcoming Academy Awards. It was written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi; and it's based on the 1967 young adult novel, of the same name, by Joan G. Robinson. The film tells the story of a young girl, that becomes obsessed with a mysterious young woman; who may just exist in her imagination. The movie received mostly positive reviews, from critics, and it's noted, by fans, for possibly being the last film produced by Studio Ghibli. I found it to be very slow-paced, but also charming.
The film tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Anna (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, in the English version). She lives with foster parents, in Sapporo, but she becomes unhappy when she realizes her parents are paid, by the government, to watch over her. After a serious asthma attack, at school, she's sent to live with relatives, of her foster parents, in a seaside town. There she dreams of a girl named Marnie (voiced by Kiernan Shipka and Taylor Autumn Bertham, at different ages). She's stunned to see Marnie come to life (apparently), in an abandoned mansion near by. Anna then becomes infatuated with the strange girl.
The story is very slow moving, and I can't imagine why most kids would like it (much). Not all animation has to be for children though; the book was written for young adults, and that might be a more appropriate age group for this. That's not to say there's anything inappropriate with the material; it's perfectly acceptable for kids, of all ages, to see. I think it also has a very positive (and upbeat) message, about coming-of-age. It's well made, and it has a very classic animated film feel to it (too). I found it to be (mostly) boring, but it's also slightly moving.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/A1MyBFioKXM
A Japanese anime flick; which was nominated for Best Animated Feature, at the upcoming Academy Awards. It was written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi; and it's based on the 1967 young adult novel, of the same name, by Joan G. Robinson. The film tells the story of a young girl, that becomes obsessed with a mysterious young woman; who may just exist in her imagination. The movie received mostly positive reviews, from critics, and it's noted, by fans, for possibly being the last film produced by Studio Ghibli. I found it to be very slow-paced, but also charming.
The film tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Anna (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, in the English version). She lives with foster parents, in Sapporo, but she becomes unhappy when she realizes her parents are paid, by the government, to watch over her. After a serious asthma attack, at school, she's sent to live with relatives, of her foster parents, in a seaside town. There she dreams of a girl named Marnie (voiced by Kiernan Shipka and Taylor Autumn Bertham, at different ages). She's stunned to see Marnie come to life (apparently), in an abandoned mansion near by. Anna then becomes infatuated with the strange girl.
The story is very slow moving, and I can't imagine why most kids would like it (much). Not all animation has to be for children though; the book was written for young adults, and that might be a more appropriate age group for this. That's not to say there's anything inappropriate with the material; it's perfectly acceptable for kids, of all ages, to see. I think it also has a very positive (and upbeat) message, about coming-of-age. It's well made, and it has a very classic animated film feel to it (too). I found it to be (mostly) boring, but it's also slightly moving.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/A1MyBFioKXM