Review: When Marnie Was There

Following the retirement of director Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli has since gone into a state of hiatus. Whether they will return with a new set of ideas or stop making movies entirely, we don't know yet.

What we have is another feature that is finally getting released in the UK after two years since getting its first release anywhere in the world.

If this is their last film, the pressure was certainly on director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (who also directed Arrietty) to send them off on a high note. However after seeing this, we could possibly have seen their best possible replacement for Miyazaki.

I went into this film completely cold and knew nothing about it apart what I saw on the poster. As you see that iconic blue logo, you know you are in safe hands. You get instantly reminded on how gorgeous the animation is. But with many Ghibli classics, the story manages to match the animation.

As we start to understand the premise, the development starts to challenge and the theories begin to arise. Despite my complex predictions as to how this tale would end. It ended up being something a lot more simplistic and yet the emotions are still high once the credits start to roll for possible the final time.

While Ghibli's most popular films involve fantasy, there are the few actual dramas that critics and fans rank as high as their highly imaginative counterparts.
This strong story certainly makes you think of the possibilities. That and the very interesting characters kept my interest till the very end to see what these links these mysterious events to our main characters. By the end, I felt I could relate to the story well. I can see this story relate to pretty much everyone.

This is a well written story that takes us on a highly interesting and well-rounded story. The pacing is suitably light which gives us time to try and work things out. I definitely got a lot out of it, and if this is their latest feature, then it felt like a fitting and emotional possible farewell.
With the story being lead by two female protagonists, this could do well. It's most certainly too girly to put off the male fans of the studio from enjoying this. It is very mature in its story-telling and the topics it covers. If I had to compare this with previous features, then I would say I got similar feelings from it after seeing From Up On Poppy Hill or Whisper Of The Heart.

If it is being shown near you, then I highly recommend you go and see this. It could end up being a rare treat as we may never see Studio Ghibli on the big screen again. With this studio being known by many as the Disney of the east, I really hope they return soon. They make their Western brothers seem very ordinary. Not just in the art of their animation. But in their powerful story-telling as well.

Rating: 8/10