When Marnie Was There

WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (OMOIDE NO MĀNĪ) (PG)

D: Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Toho/Studio Ghibli (Yoshiaki Nishimura)

Japan 2015

103 mins

Animated

W: Masashi Andō, Keiko Niwa & Hiromasa Yonebayashi [based on the book by Joan G. Robinson]

Mus: Takatsugu Muramatsu

Sara Takatsuki / Hailee Steinfeld (Anna Sasaki), Kasumi Arimura / Kiernan Shipka (Marnie), Hans Sugisaki / Ava Acres (Sayaka), Hitomi Kuroki / Vanessa Williams (Hisako)

Studio Ghibli's first feature following the retirement of Hayao Miyazaki is this tender dramatic piece based on the book by Joan G. Robinson.

The story concerns Anna Sasaki, an introverted 12-year-old girl living with her relatives in Sapporo. She becomes more and more withdrawn from her family and begins spending more time with Marnie, a mysterious girl who she shares secrets with. The relationship between the two ultimately helps Anna learn the truth about herself and her parents.

Though an animated film, like all Studio Ghibli releases, it's best appreciated by maturer children and adults, rather than anyone below teenage years. The animation is of the usual high standard you'd expect from the studio and the music score is hauntingly evocative. The film's most powerful asset however is the story, which will come as a comfort to many viewers who sympathise and connect with Anna's character.

7/10