Cinematic Point Of View

I caught a screening of Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty the other night. First time to see it on the big screen and first time to watch it in Japanese with English subtitles.

I always enjoy this movie, but it also it’s often felt like a bit of a minor player in the grand scheme of Ghibli films. This time around though, I found myself really appreciating all that it has to offer.

The Story

The story itself is very simple. Sho (voiced by Ryûnosuke Kamiki), a young boy with a weak heart, is taken to rest at his mother’s childhood home before an upcoming surgery. His mother’s childhood house is a beautiful garden estate that happens to also be the residence of a family of little people living within the floors and walls called “Borrowers.”

These little people keep their presence hidden but venture out to borrow small items found around the house to better their day to day lives. Arrietty (voiced by Mirai Shida), the young daughter of the Borrowers, is seen by Sho and throws her family’s home and their entire existence into jeopardy.

My Point Of View

At its core, this film explores the fragility of life, the unexpected connections we form, and the inevitability of change.

Sho is sick and neglected by his mother. Arrietty and her family live in hiding beneath the feet of giants. Their lives are delicate yet full of meaning.

A quiet sadness runs through the film. Fleeting moments and brief encounters.

It reminds me of being home sick as a kid. At first, it feels like a break. But then you start wondering what you’re missing at school. Time keeps moving, with or without you.

Sho and Arrietty are both isolated in their own ways. Sho is overtaken by his illness, and Arrietty has spent her entire life in hiding, never having met anyone like herself. Through their chance encounter, they begin to break free from their confined roles and assert a quiet independence. Their hearts and eyes open to new possibilities, allowing them to feel empathy and wonder. Like the stirrings of a first love, emotional walls start to crumble, and something tender takes root.

The animation has that classic Ghibli charm I love. Very warm and cozy, with a distinctly old-school feel. There’s something about the character designs that echoes Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke. The colors are striking, almost impossibly bright, giving every frame a vibrant, lived-in quality.

The music and sound design are fantastic. Seeing the film in a theater brought out details I’d never noticed at home. The subtle hum of the world happening just beyond the walls.

There are these long, quiet stretches with no music at all, just ambient sounds: a rustle, a distant creak, the stillness of a room. I noticed the same technique during a recent theater screening of Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s such a simple, powerful choice. I wish more American animated films would embrace silence and give the moment room to breathe.

On a first watch, you might feel a little short changed by the second half. I did. It feels a little like it’s just getting started and then suddenly it’s over. On this most recent viewing though I finally realized that’s entirely the point!

Like I said earlier, this is a story that conveys the beauty of chance encounters and the inevitability of change. Every ending is a new beginning. Savor it all.

The Secret World of Arrietty is a quietly beautiful film with surprising depth, all delivered with a gentle touch. It’s the perfect Ghibli film for a lazy afternoon. It’s hopeful, tender, and leaves you wanting just a little more.

Have you seen it? I’d love to hear your point of view.