It's surprising that this is one of few Ghibli movies to not be directed by either Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata (although Miyazaki was heavily involved with other elements of its production). It possesses both Miyazaki's incredible skill at visual storytelling, and Takahata's subtle mastery of conveying plot through emotion.
It's almost redundant to say this of any Ghibli movie, but the production job here is incredible. The background art is incredible, even moreso than in most of their movies. Despite its urban/suburban setting, the movie manages to seem almost like a fairytale (which is certainly not accidental, as this is a common theme within the movie's plot).
More impressive is the characterisation. The leads, Shizuku and Seiji, aren't especially unique in their own right, but they're not intended to be. This makes them much easier to relate to. While that would run the risk of making them uninteresting, the way their thoughts and feelings are conveyed in this movie, through subtle details in expressions, or through subtext in dialogue, rather than through unique character traits, makes them seem utterly organic and real, like actual people with worries and doubts and passions like us, not like something a writer thought up.
The whole movie is rich in subtle nuance. For example, Shizuku is working on a set of lyrics in the first half of the movie. The first and second time we hear them, they're remarkably different - the second one is influenced by her first fairytale experience in the movie. It never feels the need to state it, but the way the new lyrics mirror her experience, it's clear how much it meant to her.
This nuance carries over to the main plot of the movie - Shizuku being impressed by Seiji's craftsmanship at making violins, and his passion for becoming great at it inpires an insecurity in her about her own ability to create things and her lack of purpose. Along a backdrop of teenage drama and angst, it parallels the same struggle of growing up that we all follow, but it's never spelled out.
Final Words: Whisper of the Heart is an exceptionally well-told story, and one that feels very much "from the heart". It easily stands as my favourite Ghibli movie.
Story/Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Animation/Art: 10/10
Music: 8/10
Acting (Dub): 8/10
Overall: 10/10
For Fans Of: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Only Yesterday
