Souvenirs, goutte à goutte

I really had no idea animation could be so touching and moving. A young woman on her way to the countryside to help out with some farm chores keeps getting flashbacks of her 10 year old, 5th grade self. That may sound boring, but instead I was riveted from beginning until the heart warming finish, enjoying her memories along the way. We all carry around with us such kind of memories-having trouble with a particular subject in school, flirting with members of the opposite sex, being teased by classmates or older siblings, misbehaving and being severely punished, not getting something we really wanted and on and on. While she was having her flashbacks, I was having mine, making it all a very personal experience. Her life has been shaped by her memories, and now she is guided by them as she comes face to face with a momentous, potentially life-altering decision. Even if she was only an animated character, I got so bound up in the story that I desperately hoped for her to make the right choice. Sometimes I even forgot that I was watching an animated movie.

This is probably my favorite animated film of all -- and now it looks even more beautiful than ever (thanks to the Japnese DVD release). This is a story of a 20-something "office lady" who is vaguely dissatisfied with what she sees as increasingly pointless life in the big city. As she visits the rural family of her sister's husband for a working vacation, she also revisits her fifth grade self. (The contemporary scenes are done in a fairly realistic fashion, the flashbacks have a lovely pastel look -- that would later be used even more extensively in "Our Neighbors, the Yamadas"). This film does not draw upon cartoons for its background, but on the films of Ozu and Naruse. The intelligence and sublety of the characterization is extraordinary. This also has a very appealing use of Hungarian folk music (the favored music of our heroine's young farmer friend). If you've never before sobbed tears of joy over closing credits before, you will here. (It never fails for me -- at about 7 times and counting). While Takahata's "Grave of the Fireflies" may have a more timely (and harrowing) tale to tell, I think this understated little story is even more beautiful and effective.

This movie has all of the grace and beauty of Grave of the Fireflies, without the oppresive depression. Takahata has such an eye for detail and subtlety; the characters' observations about life and coming to terms with who you were and are when combined with the beauty of the animation and scenery are poetic and elgiec.

What could be a trite romantic tale instead blossoms into art due to the hyper-realism of Takahata's story-telling.

This movie requires some work to understand, but the effort is rewarded generously. Even though its been just a few minutes since I finished watching it, I can already tell that the images and characters will be playing in my head for a very long time.

This move is an absolute gem -- see it if at all possible!

This is the question to be asked, even for the fans (like me) of "grave of the fireflies". Compared to all the other ghibli movies, this real masterwork has been unfairly unrecognized. Forget about the anime you watched so far, it's completely different, more adult, more realistic, more... life-like. No big eyes (well, the flashback are somehow "very 60's", but that's the purpose!), no screams, no ultrasonic voices; just characters treated as they were true actors. For example the pineapple scene or the mathematics exercise scene are the most incredible daily life pictures i've ever seen! And the final credits will have you wipe some tears... Watch it and make your friends watch it too. Don't be surprised by its length. It's fun, sad, real, touching, moving whatever you want... I still dream it will be released abroad, one day... who knows? Talk about it around you and maybe this could happen. Takahata definitely deserves it!

I was lucky enough to obtain a set of "Studio Ghibli" anime films on DVD including the some of the best of Myazaki etc. These film are Japanese with English subtitles, I think a LOT would be lost in any dubbed version.

I thought I'd give this film a try first, never having heard of it...

It is one of the most amazing films I have ever seen, anime or not. It truly defines "adult anime" in the best sense of the word. I would agree with many of the comments already expressed, especially the use of animation to express the exhilaration of childhood joy.

The fact is, this film packs in so many genuinely clever, poignant and laugh out loud funny observations on adult and child life I am really surprised it is not more well known. How many films can make eating a pineapple such an utterly fascinating,touching and meaningful scene?!

This film is basically the story of a 27 year old woman (NOT a middle aged woman!) who is starting to think that life is passing her by and starts thinking of what she really wants and is important in life. She carries the memories of her childhood with her and these flash back as a parallel story to the present in an unbelievably delightful way! We truly see her (very sharply observed and funny/poignant)childhood and what made her character.

This film is so uplifting! Do be sure to catch all of the ending too! I thought it caught the best parts of My Neighbor Totoro for a 20-something audience!

Mike.