I never would have imagined that one of the loveliest coming-of-age stories I've ever seen would be an animated film from Japan. Not since "The Man in the Moon" has a movie reminded me of the delicious, optimistic highs and devastating lows of adolescence. "Whisper of the Heart" is from Hayao Miyazaki, the "Walt Disney of Japan". It is probably his most down-to-Earth project, but it no less magical than "My Neighbor Totoro" or "Naussica of the Valley of the Wind". "Whisper of the Heart", just like my favorite Miyazaki film "Kiki's Delivery Service", shows enchanted places that exist not in alternate worlds, but in our own town and imaginations. This is the film that introduced the debonair cat, the Baron, who was featured in "The Cat Returns" and voiced by Cary Elwes. He is only a statue in this film, and comes to life only in our heroine's imagination.
"Whisper of the Heart" has one of the most delightful, realistic heroines ever to grace an animated film: Shizuku (voiced in the American dubbed version by Brittany Snow, "Hairspray") is bookish, spirited, emotional, a bit flighty, and dreamy without being annoying. She adores reading and writing, and is often scolded by her family members for "being in her own world". In other words, I could completely relate to her.
It is the beginning of Suzuku's final year in middle school... and the beginning of the first stirrings of romantic feelings. The film's biggest delight is the intriguing set-up for the Meet Cute: Shizuku is astonished to find that a bunch of books she's checked out from the library have been checked out previously by the same person: Seiiji (voiced by David Gallagher, "7th Heaven"), an intelligent boy who lives in antique store with his grandfather and dreams of being a violin maker.
Shizuku becomes fascinated with Seiiji, and, after a series of misunderstandings, they finally meet. It feels like first love, but Shizuku finds out Seiiji is going to Italy for further training in violin making. Suzuku feels inadequate in comparison, feeling she just "goofs off reading and writing stupid lyrics". While Seiiji is away, Shizuku becomes inspired to tap into her talents as a writer and writes a story called "Whisper of the Heart". What starts as an effort to prove herself to the talented Seiiji becomes an eye-opening journey to Shizuku as she discovers how special she truly is, and how she finally becomes ready to leave adolescence behind.
"Whisper of the Heart" is not only a beautifully animated film (it features a sunrise that even Disney couldn't top) with a lush score (with the recurring John Denver tune "Take Me Home, Country Road"), but a slice of life tale with magical realism thrown in. Shizuku finds adventure simply by following a vagabond cat named Moon who was riding the subway train by himself. At first, this seems like a set-up for an "Alice in Wonderland"-like story, but we then laugh when we find out Moon is just being an indifferent wanderer, just like real cats. And the romance between Seiiji and Suzuku is handled perfectly: it's as sweet and tender as it is tentative and awkward. Never has an animated film felt so real. It will really take you back to your preteen years, but in a good way. It is a warm, enchanting film that make your heart not whisper, but sing out loud.
Note to parents: "Whisper of the Heart" is rated G, but it is very leisurely (its one flaw) at 111 minutes, so the under-10 set might get antsy.
"Whisper of the Heart" has one of the most delightful, realistic heroines ever to grace an animated film: Shizuku (voiced in the American dubbed version by Brittany Snow, "Hairspray") is bookish, spirited, emotional, a bit flighty, and dreamy without being annoying. She adores reading and writing, and is often scolded by her family members for "being in her own world". In other words, I could completely relate to her.
It is the beginning of Suzuku's final year in middle school... and the beginning of the first stirrings of romantic feelings. The film's biggest delight is the intriguing set-up for the Meet Cute: Shizuku is astonished to find that a bunch of books she's checked out from the library have been checked out previously by the same person: Seiiji (voiced by David Gallagher, "7th Heaven"), an intelligent boy who lives in antique store with his grandfather and dreams of being a violin maker.
Shizuku becomes fascinated with Seiiji, and, after a series of misunderstandings, they finally meet. It feels like first love, but Shizuku finds out Seiiji is going to Italy for further training in violin making. Suzuku feels inadequate in comparison, feeling she just "goofs off reading and writing stupid lyrics". While Seiiji is away, Shizuku becomes inspired to tap into her talents as a writer and writes a story called "Whisper of the Heart". What starts as an effort to prove herself to the talented Seiiji becomes an eye-opening journey to Shizuku as she discovers how special she truly is, and how she finally becomes ready to leave adolescence behind.
"Whisper of the Heart" is not only a beautifully animated film (it features a sunrise that even Disney couldn't top) with a lush score (with the recurring John Denver tune "Take Me Home, Country Road"), but a slice of life tale with magical realism thrown in. Shizuku finds adventure simply by following a vagabond cat named Moon who was riding the subway train by himself. At first, this seems like a set-up for an "Alice in Wonderland"-like story, but we then laugh when we find out Moon is just being an indifferent wanderer, just like real cats. And the romance between Seiiji and Suzuku is handled perfectly: it's as sweet and tender as it is tentative and awkward. Never has an animated film felt so real. It will really take you back to your preteen years, but in a good way. It is a warm, enchanting film that make your heart not whisper, but sing out loud.
Note to parents: "Whisper of the Heart" is rated G, but it is very leisurely (its one flaw) at 111 minutes, so the under-10 set might get antsy.