J's Musings

Review by Janx

This is my first time reviewing a movie, and I’m starting off with my favourite Ghibli production of all time. This was the 3rd Ghibli film I watched after “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “From Up on Poppy Hill”.

I believe this one resonated more because the main character is an aspiring author who finds love through books.

The movie follows Shizuku Tsukishima, an aspiring author who realises that someone has been borrowing all the books she has borrowed before her. Seiji Amasawa who aims to be a master luthier is quite sure he is in love. Together, as friends in love, they set off on parallel journeys of self-discovery and figuring out their plans for life.

First released in 1995, Whisper of the Heart manages to captivate you with its sweet and peaceful animations that will make you fall in love with life again. The pastel colours used are a delight for all my visual romantics. They create a sense of comfort and romanticism that evokes more emotion than regular animation.

The tone of narration maintains a cool mood with no imposition that you ought to follow any certain ideals except focusing on your goals and letting life make you happy.

Miyazaki’s representation of love is unlike any other. The sight of a love that pushes both people to achieve something in life puts the restless hearts of all youngsters at peace.

The main character is 14 and, in the 9th, or 8th grade. A tender age accompanied by tender love and tender dreams. She lets her life revolve around books until the name in the borrower’s list comes to life.

The male lead is also the same age, has a burning passion for lutherie, and is consumed by fighting for what he wants to do with his life. That is, until he meets Shizuku, a girl, he borrows every book in the library to have his name in it before hers.

Like I said the movie resonates with me as an aspiring author and a hopeless romantic. Who really wants this kind of teenage love and would appreciate it if she could actually finish her writing projects. I personally loved the scene where [small spoiler alert] Shizuku and Seiji sing with his grandfather’s band in the basement. It was an intimate scene which put the found family theme of the movie into clear view.

Lastly, the calm animation and romanticising of everyday life makes the movie another class Ghibli curated with the love of hand painted screens.

Hoping you enjoy the watch,

Janx 🙂

Picture Credits: 0niichun on Pinterest