Studio Ghibli pt.2: The Underrated (1991 -1995)

The series continues with the lesser known, but still top-class Ghibli productions, during the years between Totoro and Mononoke. I have now decided my dream job is to write movie reviews.

ONLY YESTERDAY
(Omohide Poro Poro, 1991, Isao Takahata)

Another Ghibli breakthrough, Only Yesterday is animation for adults. It tells the story of an office girl taking a sabbatical off to the countryside. On the way there and throughout her stay, she reflects on flashbacks of her childhood. This incredibly realistic drama owes much of its brilliance to its storytelling. Taeko could recount her past experiences clearly, until the point where she feels like it was 'only yesterday', hence the title. The nostalgia is complemented by the luscious countryside landscapes, as she reflects on the absurdity of growing up blues. The flashbacks of first times - cutting a pineapple, being fancied by a boy, her first period; and memories like being poor in maths, and acting in a stage play, slowly sculptures Taeko's character into somebody we all can relate to. The animation is almost life-like (smaller eyes), and I was not used to watching it the first time. On a second viewing, I discarded the concept of typical Miyazaki excitement, and found a touching human drama reminding me that the past is just another step to the future. A winner from Takahata.

Fave stuff: Although very much a drama, the entire movie is kept light-hearted with the humour of everyday life.
Verdict: An animated achievement in storytelling, which gets better with repeated viewings. 10/10

PORCO ROSSO
(Kurenai no Buta, 1992, Hayao Miyazaki & Tony Bancroft)

Set in 1929 Italy, this is a story of a WWI pilot with a pig's head. The common theory is that Porco was disillusioned with life (Italy had turned fascist), and cursed himself to be a pig. What initially was very funny to look at, turned into a terrific war drama. Porco's character is the man who has significant baggage, his childhood ideals shattered and twisted, where trust had gone down the drain. He is still popular with the ladies, the pirates, an American hotshot, and has two girls willing to love him. To me, Porco Rosso is a pleasant Ghibli surprise - stunning recreation of the Adriatic coast, and one of the finest Joe Hisaishi soundtracks. The story is laid-back, the action sequences tame, letting the characters float to the surface of the film. Each personality is unique, Gina's caring to Curtis' brashfulness, Fio's innocence to 'The Boss' comic. If there was a Best Actor award for animations, it would go to Porco, his nonchalant exterior hiding a hurt soul determined to set things right. The expression 'fascist pig' takes a new meaning from now on.

Fave stuff: Porco's hilarious yet deep lines, "I rather be a pig than a fascist." and "A pig that cannot fly is just a pig."
Verfict: Pigs can fly. Casablanca style. 10/10

OCEAN WAVES / I CAN HEAR THE SEA
(Umi ga Kikoeru, 1993, Tomomi Mochizuki)

This made-for-TV movie by a young Ghibli production team tells a story about a love triangle between two friends and a new transfer student. The subtle storytelling of adolescent romance, and snippets of high school excursions, are typical teenagers storyline. What is different is Rikako's character, the girl who transferred reluctantly from urban Tokyo to rural Kouchi. She is cocky and stubborn, a product of divorced parents, and she resents the rural life and her school. However, Rikako possesses the female charm all pretty girls have, which hardly makes her a likeable character, albeit a more real one, that most of us know from someone. My gripe with Ocean Waves is that this could well be as good a movie if acted out in real life by dependable actors. Despite this drawback, it still is a breezy movie of teen romance, able to strike a chord with anyone that has been through high school.

Fave stuff: The scene in Tokyo with Rikako, her ex, and Taku having tea. The ackwardness and to an extent, childishness of their actions, amost ridicules the follies of youth.
Verdict: A breath of fresh air in the teen romance genre. 7/10

POM POKO
(Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko, 1994, Isao Takahata)

A group of tanukis (raccoon dogs) try to preserve their settlement as urban development threatens to unsettle them. Tanukis are belived to be able to change to any form they want, and is rich in Japanese folklore. For that reason, this bizarre animation feels irrelevant to me, someone that know nothing about Japenese myths. Luckily, the mischief of the tanukis keep the 2-hr runtime entertaining enough. The multitude of plots they hatch to disrupt the humans are hilarious, culminating in a monster parade including one-eyed umbrellas and bearded spiders. (full list of monsters HERE, picture HERE) However, by the time that scene arrived, I was already feeling jaded as the tanukis could never win, and their antics always border on the ridiculously bizarre. I think Takahata wanted to emphasize the ecology problem, but I felt the story was rooted too much in folklore, which robbed the free-spiritedness off most Ghibli productions.

Fave stuff: The initial battle scene, monster parade, and giant Neko (cat) plot - so outrageous that it became laugh-out-loud funny.
Verdict: Fun but ultimately inconsequential animation. The run-time can use some editing too. 6/10

WHISPER OF THE HEART
(Mimi wo Sumasabe, 1995, Yoshifumi Kondou)

A girl finds out the library books she read have all been previously loaned out by the same person. This romantic plot runs parallel with the story of the girl growing up, seemingly a favourite theme of Ghibli movies. Similiar to Kiki, the maturing journey unfolds in Shizuku's daily life - family, school, friends, boys, and fantasising. Naturalistic and beautifully animated (of a Tokyo town), Whisper of the Heart can truly mesmerize the soul. Although ackwardly paced, the movie climax in a stirring rendition of John Denver's Country Road, ala Nihon-style. The fantasy sequences featuring The Baron is a delight to watch, especially the background illustrations by this guy. The movie's moral is also strongly presented towards the end, when Shizuku forces herself to write a novel in 3 wks. Her determination pays off, thus reinforcing her self-belief. In the end Seiji suddenly proposes to Shizuku, a brave ode to commitment and fullfilment, then the film closes with a tone of finality - two things not so common these days.

Fave stuff: Love the wonderfully arranged song and fantasy sequence, but none can compare with the grandfather clock. Another prop to put in my future living room.
Verdict: Subtle tale of decisions and responsibility, just what I need these days. 9/10

ON YOUR MARK (1995) - A Hayao Miyazaki MV for the song by Chage and Aska. See HERE.

Part 3 will take a while to come out, since I haven't watch Yamadas and The Cat Returns. Also, I kinda forgotten how Howl goes.