Last night, we had a girls night out and went to see The Secret World of Arrietty, a Hayao Miyazaki film. Its based on 'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton, a classic story about tiny people living in the walls of houses. I am a big fan of Miyazaki's films, my favorite being Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away, so I was prepared to be dazzled by beautiful animation. I wasn't disappointed! This film is full of little details, which are a pleasure to find. My daughter loved spotting all the big people things the borrowers used (like a chess piece as a sculpture, a pin served a sword, stamps used as delightful artwork for the walls). The story is well paced and the soundtrack a perfect backdrop to the action. The actors are really adept at following the animation, so there are no lags or weird spots where the lips are moving and the voices are all wrong. We really loved this movie and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys classic stories or great animation. I can't wait till this is available on dvd, so I can have it on while I work!
Thank you for your recommendation! I, too, love Miyazaki films. My favorites are Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro. I cannot wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteWe went yesterday and LOVED it too! Is there anything Studio Ghibly does that isn't just magical!? Magnolia spent the evening turning a shoe box into Arrietty's new house! Have you ever seen "Colleen Moore's Dollhouse"? Beautiful! I wanted to go home and garden but my black thumb said otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI wish that they were playing that around here! Alas! The woes of living in the country! Maybe on Sunday I can convince a trip to the City to see this! I remember when we were kids and would make houses for sprites out of shoeboxes. And how mom used to get mad at use for taking her thimbles. I guess we were "borrowers" back then too... just a little bit bigger!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful movie - we have plans to see it this next week (fairy and princess birthday parties to attend this weekend)...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved it too. I loved the way the borrowers had decorated the inside of their house best of all. I just keep imagining doing some of those things in my own house! :-) xoxo Christine
ReplyDelete