Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi.
Voiced By: Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima, Susumu Terajima, Toshie Negishi.
Hiromasa Yonebayashi director of Arrietty and one of Spirited Away's animators directs a typically stunning Studio Ghibli feature but might not be the ones Ghibli fans are use to, but don't let that disappoint. The film is refreshingly beautiful and soft to the eye.
Based on Joan G. Robinson's modern essential classic novel of the same name. The story is moved from Norfolk, England to the Countryside of Japan without losing the core of the storyline. About a young girl Anna, who's socially an outsider, being an orphan and is sent to the country to rediscover herself.
There, she makes new friends and one in particular is Marnie, the girl who lives in the supposedly derelict Marsh House. There's an instant bond but a haunting feeling behind it all. It's all a mystery and even though you think you might have guessed it, all is not what it seems.
As expected, the animation is glorious with parallax scrolling and beautiful sceneries. However there's no wondrous weird characters that normally populate Studio Ghibli films. But there's still the loveable characters in human form such as the Oiwa's and Sayaka.
Takatsugu Muramatsu composes the score but is sadly not quite the enchanting Joe Hisaishi some of us might expect but nevertheless it suits the film and sets the scenes nicely.
There has been speculation that this might be the Studio's final film after the famed Hayao Miyazaki departure, retiring. There is a planned prolonged break while the studio decides what to do but there is nothing final about it closing down.
This is a fine example of the animated features the studio can produce, an enchanting mystery that's emotional and heart-warming. A great film for all to watch, especially the kids but some might find it long, a little slow and doesn't have the usual magic Ghibli films have.
Running Time: 7
The Cast: 8
Performance: 7
Direction: 9
Story: 8
Script: 8
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 7
Job Description: 5
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
66% 7/10
