Quite honestly, Whisper of the Heart proves an unwelcome departure from fantasy for Miyazaki. We kept expecting (and hoping for) something fantastical to happen, but hopes were dashed as the story bogged down more and more into the mundane. Our audience (Miyazaki fans all) was incredibly bored and disconnected from this modern-day childhood romance tale. The English vocal cast seemed to reflect our malaise as well, with half-hearted, listless voiceovers. In spite of these complaints, visuals didn’t disappoint, and Miyazaki reveled in his ability to paint an idyllic Japan in dappled sunlight and springtime. I recommend this film only for Miyazaki completists, and even they should bring their patience.
Tags: anime, Miyazaki, Whisper of the Heart
April 14, 2009 at 6:58 pm |
I agree, it was quite a departure from the usual surreal escapism expected from a Miyazaki film.
Having said that, i reckon it’s also one of the best films to initially show someone who isn’t necessarily interested in fantasy. As a kind of, road-in.
April 14, 2009 at 7:25 pm |
Thanks for the comment. I can see that, yeah. Another good non-fantasy intro to anime would be Millenium Actress, though the two are very different. It kinda depends on the audience, I guess. I also now can’t help but wonder if Whisper of the Heart is for a different demographic.