usachrisroo

Being the face of Studio Ghibli and one of the most iconic anime characters, "My Neighbor Totoro" had high expectations to live up to. I went into my first viewing expecting it to be this awesome, totoro-filled adventure/drama, especially after other Ghibli films like Spirited Away had amazed me. Needless to say, like many others, I came out disappointed by the minimalistic to non-existent plot, characters, and drama. Originally rated the film at 6.5/10.

~ A year later, I decided to give it another chance and I am glad I did. The second time around, knowing how simple the story plays out allowed me to just sit back and appreciate the little things.

The portrayal of childhood wonder and enthusiasm from Satsuki and Mei is near perfect. Growing up with a sibling myself, the interactions between the two are spot-on, riding the fine line of being slightly annoying yet so adorable.

The animation is not as detailed and intricate as the later released Spirited Away, but it is charming in its simplicity. The magical soundtrack is memorable and pairs perfectly with the innocent, enchanting feeling that the film brings.

There are cute, funny, and relatable moments for all ages to enjoy. Sit back, remove your mountains of expectations, and smile as you get lost in Miyazaki's magical imagination. 9/10.

'A Good Person' tackles challenging themes of grief, addiction, and family struggles as Allison's entire life is uprooted from a tragic accident.

The highlight of the film is definitely the acting from the two lead characters. Pugh delivers a standout performance and manages to perfectly express the pent-up emotional state of Allison as she tries to rebuild her life. Freeman also does a great job at depicting a torn character who is wrestling with an internal struggle of blame. The camera work and soundtrack enhance the performances, so together, they elevate the films emotional impact, and it hits hard.

It's a shame to see critic reviews bash on the film. I agree it wasn't a perfect film. Yes, it runs a tad long. Yes, the story isn't anything new. And yes, there are a few plot points that feel out of place and a bit preachy.

But ultimately, for me, these issues were overshadowed by the raw emotion the movie evokes. It expertly weaves together complex characters that don't fall into simple "good" and "bad" buckets. The story is simple but relatable. Almost anyone, from all walks of life, can find a moment that they've been in or struggled with. And even through all that, the script manages to stay poignant, yet weave in moments of charm and comedy.