The Secret World of Arrietty is a gentle, wonderful, all-ages film that illustrates the wide ranging consequences stemming from a chance encounter. Settings that are both lush and rustic, terrific animations, an outstanding Celtic-inspired score, and brilliant writing and directing make The Secret World of Arrietty a can’t miss film.
Based on the 1952 novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton, The Secret World of Arrietty tells the story of Arrietty (Mirai Shida/Bridget Mendler), a young and very tiny person whose people are called Borrowers. Living with her mother Homily (Shinobu Otake/Amy Poehler) and her father Pod (Tomokazu Miaru/Will Arnett), they eke out a living by “borrowing,” a.k.a stealing small items, from the big humans in whose house they reside. The world of Arrietty’s family begins to unravel one day when a young human boy, Shō/Shawn (Ryunosuke Kamiki/David Henrie), arrives at the house to rest prior to surgery and inadvertently spies Arrietty amongst the plants of the house garden.
The script was written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa, with the film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi in his directorial debut. As with any script written in whole or in part by Miyazaki, there is a strong human element at the heart of the story that makes it easy to relate to the predicaments faced by Arrietty and her family. It’s easy to relate to them and their problems. It’s also easy to get frustrated with them because sometimes their problems are clearly of their own making and then they act surprised when they are confronted by the consequences of their own choices and actions. But then again, that’s also quite relatable.
Yonebayashi’s direction is solid in his debut. Considerable time is spent showing us the world of the Borrowers. Their tiny teapots dispensing liquid one thick drop at a time, the massive boom of a nearby grandfather clock ticking back and forth, how a bay leaf is equal in size and stature to one of the Borrowers and will last them months. All this and more establish a wonderfully interesting setting for the Borrowers’ lives. The most interesting part is how Yonebayashi and his team establish how the Borrowers move throughout the house: a warren of nails and broken rulers and hidden passages throughout the house. There is an M.C. Escher-like quality to it that makes it so intriguing to watch unfold.
The score, by French singer-songwriter Cécile Corbel, is a truly wonderful addition to the film. The Celtic-influenced score feels right at home amongst all of the green visuals on the screen. Using mostly traditional instruments like the Irish harps and flutes, bodhrán, and acoustic guitars, Corbel’s score makes us feel right at home with the Borrowers. An interesting note is that almost every cue is written in compound meter, so it just “floats” along. Regardless of the motivation for writing the music in this style. The gentleness of the music complements the gentleness of the film. It’s terrific music that makes us yearn for something we once had but lost.
The Secret World of Arrietty is a film full of gentle mysteries and unexpected kindnesses, even when tensions rise. There is a heartwarming quality to it that’s impossible to quantify and difficult to adequately qualify. Two things are certain though upon watching this film. One is that you will feel better after having watched the film. And the other is that you’ll walk away humming the music long after the movie ends. The Secret World of Arrietty does not suck.
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi.
Written by Hayao Miyazaki & Keiko Niwa.
Starring Mirai Shida/Bridget Mendler, Ryunosuke Kamiki/David Henrie, Shinobu Otake/Amy Poehler, Tomokazu Miaru/Will Arnett, etc.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING (DOES NOT SUCK)
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