“When Marnie Was There” is a hauntingly beautiful animated film about a lonely young girl who discovers a mysterious mansion by the sea. The story follows Anna’s journey of self-discovery and healing as she uncovers the secrets of the mansion and her own past. Through the enigmatic figure of Marnie, Anna learns to confront her fears and find a sense of belonging in the world. The film is a poignant exploration of identity, memory, and longing set against an atmospheric backdrop of windswept beaches, misty marshlands, and moonlit nights.
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Review
When Marnie Was There is a 2014 Japanese animated film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Studio Ghibli. The movie is based on Joan G. Robinson’s children’s book of the same name, published in 1967. It tells the story of a young girl named Anna, who befriends a mysterious girl named Marnie during her summer vacation in a small coastal town.
The storyline of When Marnie Was There revolves around Anna Sasaki, an introverted and shy girl who has trouble making friends due to her asthma. Her adoptive mother sends her to spend the summer with relatives in a small seaside town in Hokkaido, hoping that Anna will come out of her shell and make some friends.
There she discovers an old mansion across the marshes that seems to be abandoned. However, one night she sees a light on in the window and meets Marnie (Kasumi Arimura), a beautiful blonde girl who becomes her best friend. Together they have adventures by the sea and share secrets.
However, as Anna grows closer to Marnie, strange things begin to happen. She discovers that Marnie may not be what she seems and that there is more to her past than meets the eye. As her friendship with Marnie deepens, Anna starts to question what is real and what is not.
The movie touches upon themes such as loneliness, self-discovery, friendship, and family. It portrays these themes through its characters, especially Anna, who struggles with feelings of abandonment and insecurity due to being adopted.
The plot of When Marnie Was There is beautifully crafted and filled with twists. The movie keeps viewers engaged throughout as they try to unravel the mysteries surrounding Marnie’s past. The dialogue between characters is witty yet emotional at times as it touches upon deeper issues.
One standout aspect of the movie is its animation. Studio Ghibli is known for its breathtaking animation and When Marnie Was There is no exception. The animation depicts the beautiful coastal town with its lush greenery and rustic architecture, while the sea and sky are painted in soft pastel hues.
The voice acting in When Marnie Was There is also exceptional, with Sara Takatsuki’s performance as Anna being particularly noteworthy. She portrayed Anna’s emotional turmoil convincingly, making it easy for viewers to empathize with the character.
When Marnie Was There was a box office success in Japan, grossing over $35 million. It received critical acclaim worldwide and was nominated for several awards including Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards.
The movie marks Studio Ghibli’s final feature film release before going on hiatus in 2014. The studio has since resumed production but remains focused on short films only.
Overall, When Marnie Was There is a beautifully crafted animated film that explores deeper themes through its characters and plot twists. It keeps viewers engaged throughout and features exceptional animation, voice acting, and dialogue. It is well worth watching for those who enjoy emotionally charged films that leave an impact long after they finish watching it.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 103
- Release : 2014-07-19
- Genre : Animation, Drama, Family
- Cast : Sara Takatsuki as Anna Sasaki (voice), Kasumi Arimura as Marnie (voice), Nanako Matsushima as Yoriko Sasaki (voice), Susumu Terajima as Kiyomasa Oiwa (voice), Toshie Negishi as Setsu Oiwa (voice)
- Crew : Toshio Suzuki as Executive Producer, Atsushi Okui as Director of Photography, Yoji Takeshige as Background Designer, Makiko Futaki as Key Animation, Takeshi Inamura as Animation Director
- Popularity 29.156
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : $34,949,567
- Company : Studio Ghibli, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, KDDI
- Summary : Upon being sent to live with relatives in the countryside due to an illness, an emotionally distant adolescent girl becomes obsessed with an abandoned mansion and infatuated with a girl who lives there – a girl who may or may not be real.
- Tagline : Promise we’ll remain a secret, forever.
