Grade: A-
Score: 8.2/10
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 5 (Recommended)
Kids ages 4+
Studio Ghibli has always made films that critics have adored, and we would think they would continue that impressive streak with a childrens' novel...
The film tells the story of three tiny people called "Borrowers", Homily (Amy Poelher), Pod (Poehler's husband Will Arnett), and their daughter Arrietty (Good Luck Charlie's Bridgit Mendler), who live underneath a house and spend their lives in secret borrowing things people won't miss (cubes of sugar, tissues and cookie crumbs). Meanwhile, a 12-year old boy named Shawn (Wizards of Waverly Place's David Henrie), who suffers from a weak heart condition, goes to his Aunt Jessica's house (the same house) to see if he can get the care he needs for his condition. Later that day, Arrietty goes on her first "borrowing" with her dad, and they are accidentally spotted by the boy. Consistently assuring that he will not hurt them, Arrietty slowly reveals herself to Shawn, and it soons brings about the suspicions of the housekeeper Hara (Carol Burnett). Could a friendship blossom? Or could it bring an end to the "Borrowers" existence?
Positive Notes
Arrietty showcases positive lessons on friendship, kindness, and shows a great example of a loving family. Arrietty is a caring borrower who goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns that borrowers and humans are equals, as they have their own different feelings, they have their fears, and they have their own families. Shawn is a nice, caring boy who learns to be brave and tries his hardest to protect Arrietty and her family. Homily and Pod are loving parents who do their best to make sure they are safe from the "beings" (or humans).
As the only traditionally-animated (hand-drawn) film this year, the films' animation is simply beautiful, with colorful backgrounds and characters. The cast is great, including Mendler, Henrie, Burnett, Poehler, and Burnett are all great, and to add to the fun, Mendler wrote and sings the end credits song, "Summertime", which clearly brings the films' story to our minds.
French musician and multi-lingual singer Cecile Corbel provides beautiful songs and a brilliant music score. The films' story is very much faithful to the original childrens' novel.
Negative Notes
Besides a few perilous moments, Arrietty is devoid of anything problematic.
To a lesser extent, the film does touch on a couple of emotional subjects about divorce and Shawn's heart condition. And while this isn't necessarily a negative note, parents of preschoolers may want to discuss these subjects with their kids prior to or after seeing it. Hara calls exterminators "idiots" once.
In terms of technical issues, because it was originally made in Japan, the mouthing does not match the dialogue said.
Conclusion
Based on the classic 1952 novel by Mary Norton, The Borrowers continues to be treasured and read by many children. And this animated adventure also (in a good and sometimes odd way) is a treasure. Let me tell you why:
Seeing hand-drawn animation is always super nice to see nowadays, since it became obsolete several years back. Today, we get treated to realistic-looking computer-animated work. And we ask ourselves, what happened to the pen and pencil?? Apparently Studio Ghibli is the only studio who hasn't even thought of computers replacing it yet.
Arrietty is also one of the cleanest family movies I have seen in a long time. There is nothing that parents will find offensive in this delightful tale. Instead, they will be charmed by the films' surprisingly emotional overtones, and solid examples on family friendship, and the importance of kindness.
Its' primary audience is young kids, though it is told with so much sincerity, that it won me over. Beautifully animated and wonderfully charming, Arrietty is a very sweet movie that will put a spark in childrens' imaginations and bring smiles to parents.
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A one year-later postscript: The Secret World of Arrietty was the last movie my great-grandmother got to see before her unexpected passing last month. I had let her borrow the DVD, and I remember her saying it was very cute. Kinda gives me something to remember whenever I get a chance to watch the movie....
