Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Supelice Dreadfully Boring

SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

phoenix 2 Obviously I'm one of the few who weren't impressed by this movie. It wasn't that it lacked the fantasy, magical effect; on the contrary, it was quite enjoyable, with the beautiful landscapes and the detailed scenes. However, the story kind of dragged on. I guess it's is mainly me that was bothered by that and in general, this movie is quite good. The story is interesting, though it gets confusing with the way the relationship between the two girls is developed and the fact that Anna, although agreeing that there is something "fishy" about Marnie, on the very next scene she continues on like nothing has happened. Towards the end, things get way too obvious, but at least the ending was good and satisfying, as it didn't left any case unsolved and every story got a happy closure. So, 4 out of 10.

Tweekums Anna, a twelve year old girl, is living with her foster parents in Sapporo but she has asthma so they think it will do her good to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in a small coastal town. Here she goes out intending to do some sketching; while out she sees an impressive mansion across the marsh. She paddles through the shallow water and finds a house that appears to have been abandoned. As she returns she thinks she sees a light in an upstairs window. She decides to return but the tide is high, however somebody has left a small boat on the dock which she uses to row to the Marsh House. Once here she meets a girl about her own age who tells her that she put the boat at the dock for her. We later learn that this girl is the Marnie of the title. There is something a little odd about her; sometimes it seems as though she just disappears and when she invites Marnie into her house it certainly doesn't seem abandoned.When one thinks of Studio Ghibli one instinctively thinks of great directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata but they have now retired and we can just hope the next generation of directors can provide us with more iconic films. Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi is certainly getting off to a good start; first he directed 'Arrietty' and now this. The story is told at a very gentle, some would say slow, pace but for me that just served to bring me into Anna's world… of course it helped that everything looked so beautiful. Anna is an unusual protagonist; she is fairly unhappy much of the time; at least until she meets Marnie… and then there is the sense that Marnie is quire real. Her exact nature is uncertain though; is she a figment of Anna's imagination or a ghost or is there another explanation? There was certainly a haunting feel to the story as we waited to discover just who she is. The eventual revelation was delightfully bittersweet. The film will probably not appeal to the youngest viewers as it isn't the sort of story that stuff constantly happens and it is a bit sad at times; however I suspect slightly older children and their parents will enjoy it… even though it isn't officially 'shoujo' I expect it will appeal more to girls than boys. Overall I really enjoyed this; I just hope it isn't Studio Ghibli's final film as has been rumoured.

markjplee It's not often I watch a movie then jump straight in to write a review, but this is a rare exception. As a long time Ghibli fan I had been disappointed by their last couple of movies. From the dragging depression and heartbreak of The Wind Rises to the forgettable Up On Poppy Hill, I was hoping When Marnie Was There would break the trend and return to, if not the fantastical magic of Ponyo and Totoro, then at least the sweet satisfaction of the likes of Arietty and Whisper of the Heart. In fact I surfaced from this film wondering if it may just be the most perfect Ghibli of all time. How on Earth can this have lost to Inside Out in the Academy Awards? It's just on another level. Sure it's less fun and cartoony and probably dull for kids to watch, but in terms of artistry, depth of plot, and sheer magic...well, comparing IO to WMWH is like comparing fart jokes to Shakespeare. Not since the first ten minutes of Up have I felt so emotionally drained from watching an animation. And in a good way: the ending doesn't leave you with tears caused by tragedy (Grave of the Fireflies springs to mind) but with those of pure, bittersweet joy. It's a movie that explores the true meaning of love so many ways; friendship, family, fostering and even same-sex relationships. It says more about the uncertain and fearful psyche of a lonely teenager than Inside Out ever could. It is Ghibli's perfect demonstration that one needs to look beyond the superficial, to forgive people for their insecurities and that if you truly care for someone then neither blood, gender or time can or should get in the way. 10/10

David When Marnie Was There is the latest and perhaps the last film from the legendary Japanese Studio Ghibli. The two giants of the studio, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata have both gone into retirement and the studio announced that they will not be making any more films for now. Takahata and Miyazaki are responsible for some of Ghibli's greatest films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies. When Marnie Was There is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and is about the introvert girl Anna who is sent to the countryside to live with relatives. She becomes obsessed with a deserted mansion and the girl who lives there who may or may not be real.Ghibli's films usually contains imagination and the focus is almost always on children but despite that, the films are not only meant for them and also often include deep meanings and thoughts. Ghibli has always been incredibly skillful in drawing and creating magnificent images and When Marnie Was There is no exception. The beautiful Japanese landscapes makes you want to travel there immediately and see the country for yourself. The film is told like a detective story and Anna finds and puts the clues together one by one. She is our guide throughout the film and what she experiences, we experience too.When Marnie Was There has a story I believe many can relate to. Not being able to find your own place in this world and to feel like an outcast. Anna searches like many children do, for their place in society and at the same time she's trying to understand her life and situation. The film is also about strong friendship and love and why we are drawn specifically to some people. It's always hard for me to try and summarize Ghibli's films and explain why people should watch them. When Marnie Was There is a tale that absolutely works well as an entry to the magical world that is Studio Ghibli.