Goshu le violoncelliste

Art with a didactic agenda often fails by succeeding - once we learn the message, we lose interest in the messenger. Fortunately, the animal night spirits here disguise their lessons *for* Goshu as requests for favors *from* Goshu. They never explain themselves. Even for the viewer who gets the point before Goshu, the film will deserve at least a second viewing to appreciate the teacher's cunning.

Goshu begins the film as a *mediocre* professional cellist (so his playing may already sound pretty good to a child beginner!). He already shows dedication to practicing; the film carries a message more subtle than the mere value of hard work.

The spirits aim to teach the higher values of music. Indeed it takes a pretty good ear, at first, even to hear the difference they make. Sufficient ambiguity surrounds their didactic message that no one should find the film heavy handed. As subtle as its message about music itself, the movie really speaks to the art of teaching (hence didactic of the second order!).

I suspect that a Japanese viewer will immediately understand the animals as (potentially menacing) supernatural spirits (rather like denizens of dreams), and thus understand Goshu's initial violent hostility to his actually friendly visitors. If one misreads the visitors as mere (fantasy) animals, Goshu's reactions to them just seem monstrous. In other words Disney would expect you to suspend disbelief in the presence of a talking cat (not to mention a person who so quickly finds it natural to talk to a talking cat), but Goshu knows cats don't talk, though spirits, manifestations of our inner demons, very well may. A young Western child watching this film might find it useful or even comforting to have this explained in advance!

A sweet and simple episodic tale of a boy who discovers musical inspiration through nature. Pretty soon, we, too, begin to hear the cuckoo bird's underrated song and begin to see the animal-shaped clouds & trees in the background as the film progresses. Regardless of who its audience is, Gauche the Cellist offers some valuable lessons in perspective. Pre-Ghibli Takahata forming his prime.

"Gauche the Cellist" is a 1982 Japanese animated film directed by Isao Takahata, known for his work at Studio Ghibli. It's a charming and poignant coming-of-age story that blends fantasy and realism.

Plot Summary: The film follows Gauche, a young boy who dreams of becoming a renowned cellist. However, he's clumsy and easily discouraged, leading to constant frustration and self-doubt. His journey takes him through various encounters with eccentric characters, including a mischievous goblin, a lonely old man, and a traveling musician. Through these experiences, Gauche learns valuable lessons about perseverance, self-acceptance, and the importance of finding joy in the simple things.

Strengths: * Beautiful Animation: Takahata's signature style is on full display, with lush backgrounds, expressive character designs, and fluid animation. The film is a visual feast for the eyes.

* Heartfelt Story: "Gauche the Cellist" is a heartwarming and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of self-discovery, overcoming adversity, and the power of music.

* Endearing Characters: Gauche is a relatable and endearing protagonist, and the supporting characters are quirky and memorable.

Weaknesses: * Pacing: The film's pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes feeling slower than others.

* Limited Appeal: The film's target audience may be primarily children and families, and some adults might find the story a bit simplistic.

Overall: "Gauche the Cellist" is a delightful and heartwarming film that will resonate with viewers of all ages. While it may not be as groundbreaking as some of Takahata's later works, it's a charming and beautifully crafted story that celebrates the power of perseverance and the joy of music.

Who will enjoy it?

* Fans of Studio Ghibli films * Children and families looking for a heartwarming and entertaining film * Those who appreciate beautiful animation and charming stories Who might not enjoy it?

* Viewers seeking a fast-paced or action-packed film * Adults who prefer more complex and sophisticated narratives * Those who are not fond of slower-paced coming-of-age stories.

Isao Takahata is one of the greatest directors of all time, either in animation of live action, and here we are shown one of his early pre- Ghibli films. The quality of the artwork and animation is sub-par compared to his later films (such as Grave of the Fireflies, which he made only six years after this film but it feels like it was made with ten times the budget and more advanced technology). The soundtrack is marvelous as it consists of Beethoven's 6th symphony and there is a very interesting cello solo later in the film.

Overall, I found this film better than Pom Poko and Yamadas but not as good as Grave of the Fireflies and Only Yesterday, which I consider his two masterpieces.

Really well-made. Beautiful, poetic, dreamy, moving. And all that with humor. I watched it with my 8 years old son and we both laughed a lot. Beethoven looking angry from the wall was hilarious.

I'll watch it again.