When Marnie Was There | 2014 | 9/10
Just when I thought Ghibli had lost their magic touch, I get knocked out by another killer film from the famous studio. I was not prepared for how emotionally engaging this film would be, had me tearing up like a little bitch.
You know its bad when your own daughter is making fun of you.
When Marnie Was There is a story about a young foster girl, who is sent to the country side to recover from asthma attacks, brought on by city pollution. While there she meets someone who will forever change her life, in ways you cannot initially predict. Every time you think you know what this film is going to pull as its central plot element, the film switches gears and surprises you. I won't say anything else about the plot, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.
When Marne Was There is a beautiful film, in its artwork, direction, writing, and purpose. It gives you believable characters in a believable world, with a plot that will make you want to believe in the seemingly impossible. If it wasn't for a few pacing problems in the middle of the movie, I'd give this a 10/10. I loved When Marnie Was There. Films like this remind me why I ever fell in love with anime in the first place, and prove the medium isn't dead yet after all.
Of course, it never hurts to have quality source material:
