I love hearing a bit about the background for this film! I loved "The Borrowers" when I was a kid, and this film was actually the first Ghibli film I ever watched, before I even knew what the studio was! Now, years later, after having seen almost all their films many times over, this is still one of my favorites. Because of that, I do take issue a little bit with your criticism of its plot. I don't think a film has to have a lot of plot twists or a complicated plot to be a great film. Some of the greatest films have simple, straightforward plots -- but they tell important, beautiful, and meaningful stories. This film is not just eye candy, it has a beautiful, valuable, and relevant story to tell. It explores the concepts and realities of death and survival, and different attitudes towards them (Sho accepts them to a fault, and Arrietty fights). It also reveals without direct exposition how some people are driven by their own greed, while others choose to be motivated by kindness, wonder, and selflessness. It's a study of, on the one hand, understanding and honor between species, and on the other hand, ignorance, fear, loathing, and exploitation based on "otherness". I repeat, this film is not just eye candy.
Thoughtful essay! It’s nice to see an essay be succinct yet hit enough points to be meaty. I love this movie, yet I never knew much about its creation.
How do you know? I've never known which one it is; I've heard experienced Ghibli fans and lovers call it both ways. I want to say it right, but I don't know who to listen to.
Loved this story variant. As a child i loved the book and the movie and was happy when i realised this was also a borrowers story. Does anyone know if there any other movies or books about it?
I love hearing a bit about the background for this film! I loved "The Borrowers" when I was a kid, and this film was actually the first Ghibli film I ever watched, before I even knew what the studio was! Now, years later, after having seen almost all their films many times over, this is still one of my favorites. Because of that, I do take issue a little bit with your criticism of its plot. I don't think a film has to have a lot of plot twists or a complicated plot to be a great film. Some of the greatest films have simple, straightforward plots -- but they tell important, beautiful, and meaningful stories.
This film is not just eye candy, it has a beautiful, valuable, and relevant story to tell. It explores the concepts and realities of death and survival, and different attitudes towards them (Sho accepts them to a fault, and Arrietty fights). It also reveals without direct exposition how some people are driven by their own greed, while others choose to be motivated by kindness, wonder, and selflessness. It's a study of, on the one hand, understanding and honor between species, and on the other hand, ignorance, fear, loathing, and exploitation based on "otherness".
I repeat, this film is not just eye candy.
Thoughtful essay! It’s nice to see an essay be succinct yet hit enough points to be meaty. I love this movie, yet I never knew much about its creation.
3:04 Actually Sho was staying with his Aunt.
Ghibli with a j sound. Not even watching past there.
How do you know? I've never known which one it is; I've heard experienced Ghibli fans and lovers call it both ways. I want to say it right, but I don't know who to listen to.
Loved this story variant. As a child i loved the book and the movie and was happy when i realised this was also a borrowers story. Does anyone know if there any other movies or books about it?