Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»1236. When Marnie Was There (思い出のマーニー) (2014)

    1236. When Marnie Was There (思い出のマーニー) (2014)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on January 30, 2016 100-109 mins, 2014, 6 - 7.9, Animation, Drama, Jan 16, Japan, Kids', Movies Of 2016, Review
    7.6 Wonderful
    • Acting 7.5
    • Directing 8.0
    • Story 7.4
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Hana Sugisaki

    Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi

    Running Time: 102 mins


    When Marnie Was There is a Japanese film about an extremely introverted young girl who is sent to the countryside, where she is drawn to a mysterious mansion by the shore and the girl who lives inside it.

    This is an absolutely wonderful film, and a fantastic way to send off one of the greatest film studios of all time if this really is Ghibli’s last. It’s got classically beautiful animation, a touching story and a wonderful score, which all comes together to make a hugely enjoyable and engaging film, even if it’s not as powerful as some of Ghibli’s greatest.

    We forget sometimes that may Studio Ghibli movies are in fact family films, but When Marnie Was There is an excellent demonstration of how amazing they are at making intelligent and compelling films that absolutely anyone can watch and adore.

    The story is largely about a young girl, Anna, facing up to her own problems in life through her growing friendship with Marnie, the mysterious girl she meets when gazing over at the mansion by the sea. At times, this does go into darker territory about children feeling lonely or abandoned, which will definitely be tough watching for younger viewers, but the prevailing emotion of this film is a happy one.

    That’s not to say that it definitely ends on a happy note, but the friendship that Anna and Marnie develop over the course of this film is absolutely beautiful. Much like childhood favourites such as My Neighour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service and more, this is a Ghibli film that will touch you and warm your heart with its delightful story. It reminds you that, even when there are real downs in life, there’s always a way out, and the way that we see the introverted Anna become happier and more confident as she grows closer to Marnie is just wonderful.

    Now, there is one big flaw that I do have with this story, however, and that’s the fact that it’s just not as emotionally powerful as some of the greatest Ghibli movies. It’s definitely touching, but in its final act, which is really focussed on making a heart-wrenching emotional rollercoaster, it doesn’t always pay off, and often gets lost in a bit of a convoluted and overly-mysterious ending.

    But despite that, there’s still so much to adore about this film. I don’t need to say it, but I will anyway: the animation is absolutely gorgeous, and some of the wide landscape shots are jaw-droppingly beautiful to look at. Meanwhile, the music is just as poetic as you’d expect from Studio Ghibli, and really adds to the pleasant and heartwarming atmosphere of the film.

    Overall, When Marnie Was There is an excellent film. It may not be the most emotionally powerful we’ve ever seen from Studio Ghibli, but it’s an intelligent, touching and stunningly beautiful film that, if this really is the end of Ghibli, sums up everything that we’ve loved about the studio over the years, and that’s why it gets a 7.6 from me.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.2
    Review
    October 7, 20210

    3504. Inside Job (2010)

    8.0
    Review
    March 30, 20130

    104. Trainspotting (1996)

    8.2
    Review
    December 31, 20180

    2400. The Best Of Youth (2003)

    8.2
    Review
    February 10, 20160

    1249. Deadpool (2016)

    8.0
    Review
    January 7, 20220

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.