Hayao Miyazaki wasn’t very pleased when he saw his son’s first film, but he did say that it was made honestly, and with love, which is why it was worth watching. These words stayed with Goro, and he continued to refine his work over time. This process was tough and required a lot of self-reflecting and education, and From Up on Poppy Hill is the result of that hard work and dedication.
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The Movie Review
The story of From Up on Poppy Hill is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the importance of preserving the past. The main character Umi is a high school student who lives in a boarding house and takes care of her family’s home. She meets a boy named Shun, who is a member of the school’s newspaper club and together they work to save their school’s clubhouse from being demolished.
The plot is engaging and well-written, with a strong emotional core that keeps the audience invested in the characters and their struggles. However, the pacing of the film is quite slow, which may be a turn-off for some viewers.
The film also covers a lot of different themes like Japan’s post-war recovery, the relationship between siblings, and a bit of a love story. The story is quite complex and multi-layered, it may not be suitable for younger audiences, but we adults can enjoy it to its fullest extent.
The writing and dialogue in From Up on Poppy Hill are well-crafted and authentic, capturing the spirit of the time period in which the film is set. The characters are complex and likable, and their interactions with one another are both heartwarming and thought-provoking. However, the film’s themes and messages can be a bit heavy-handed at times.
The dialogue is well-written, and it feels natural and believable, but the film does not shy away from tackling serious and mature themes.
The Characters
The main characters, Umi and Shun, are voiced by actresses, Sarah Bolger and Anton Yelchin respectively. Both actors bring a great amount of nuance and emotion to their performances, making the characters feel relatable and realistic. Sarah Bolger’s portrayal of Umi is particularly noteworthy, as she conveys the character’s internal struggles and emotions with great subtlety and nuance.
Other notable voice actors include Gillian Anderson as the character of Umi’s mother, Ron Howard as Umi’s father, and Aubrey Plaza as Sachiko. Each of these actors brings their own unique style and approach to their characters, making them feel like real people.
The Animation
The animation in From Up on Poppy Hill is absolutely stunning, with richly detailed backgrounds and a beautiful color palette that perfectly captures the film’s nostalgic tone. The animation is very fluid and beautiful, but the film’s animation is not as detailed as other Studio Ghibli productions. The film has great use of lighting, the color palette is rich and the animation is highly detailed. The film has a very unique look, it feels like a blend of traditional and modern animation techniques.
The Music
The music in From Up on Poppy Hill is evocative and fitting for the film, adding to the overall nostalgic atmosphere. The film’s score is well composed, as you can expect when it is composed by Satoshi Takebe. He ensures that the soundtrack is a perfect fit for the film, it captures the tone and the atmosphere of the film well. However, I do think that it doesn’t stand out as much as other Studio Ghibli films.
Verdict
From Up on Poppy Hill is a masterpiece of animation, storytelling, and emotion that takes you on a nostalgic journey through the eyes of a group of high school students fighting to save their school’s clubhouse from being demolished. The film’s animation is a work of art, with richly detailed backgrounds and a stunning color palette that transports you to the nostalgic world of Yokohama in 1963.
The writing and dialogue are eloquent and authentic, capturing the spirit of the time period and the emotions of the characters.
The voice acting is also a strength of the film, with the actors bringing a great amount of emotion and depth to their performances, making it easy to empathize with the characters. Though the pacing may be slow for some and the themes a bit heavy-handed, the film’s emotional core will keep you invested in the characters and their struggles.
From Up on Poppy Hill is a film that tells the story of preserving the past, it’s like taking a trip in a time machine, a journey worth taking.
