Movies are a part of our culture. They have the power to inspire change or challenge current events. Movies are constantly pushed out in hopes of catching the public's eye and becoming the next big thing. Unfortunately, great films can miss their chance and dwell in limbo until revived by a new public interest.
Studio Ghibli was founded in Japan on June 15, 1985. They create anime films and are one of the most successful studios in the genre. Eight of their films are in the highest-grossing anime films made in Japan. In fact "Spirited Away" is their most successful movie, ever sitting on its throne of the number-one highest-grossing film in Japan ever, but even before that they had the highest-grossing film in 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1994. Their talent is known worldwide and they have a strong following in the United States. All of Studio Ghibli's films are published internationally by Disney. The film I want to bring to the eyes of the public is "When Marnie Was There."
"When Marnie Was There" was released in Japan on July 19, 2014. It came out on DVD/Blu-ray in the United States on Oct. 6, 2015. The movie follows a young girl named Anna. She suffers from asthma, and it reaches a point where her parents decide to send her to live with her aunt and uncle for the summer. Anna, being an introvert, struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and spends most of her time trying to understand the world. She runs into a girl named Marnie. This girl is almost her complete opposite. She is outgoing, fun, and a friend to Anna. The movie follows both of them as Anna tries to understand who her friend actually is.
The movie's story does not seem very original on the surface. The confused child trying to make sense of the world is not a new concept and has been explored many times. But "When Marnie Was There" takes enough of a different approach to keep the story exciting. The filmmakers put the viewers in Anna's shoes and allow them to try and figure out who Marnie is by revealing bits of information at a time.
Being an introvert, I can relate with the portrayal of Anna's character. She does not avoid or even hate the world. She feels like an outcast, but she only pushes herself away. The characters only add to the movie's story. Everyone grows in one way or another and there are no annoying characters. Everyone has an attractive attribute, no matter how they act.
Studio Ghibli is a studio known for animated films, so the presentation surpasses expectations yet again. Between the natural movements and actions of the characters and the hand-drawn backgrounds, the film blesses audiences with a visual journey like no other. Although you could enjoy the movie if you watched it on silent, the music proves its worthiness yet again. The orchestral soundtrack is a gift that stirs up your emotions. The movie throws everything it has at you so you can enjoy every aspect of it.
Anime films do not see as much popularity in the United States as they do in Japan. This makes sense as the cultures are vastly different, but no one should turn away from these animated movies just because of how they look. "When Marnie Was There" provides an experience like none other. It makes you think in a new way about yourself and those around you. It treats your senses to a array of beauty. "When Marnie Was There" is a timeless tale that will undoubtedly last for decades to come.
