Directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and written by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, Whisper of the Heart (1995) is a film one would call a coming-of-age romance wherein the protagonist struggles to find out what she wants to do in her life. The story revolves around a junior high school student named Shizuku Tsukishima, an avid bookworm who dreams of becoming a writer. Although she would drown herself in the books she reads and borrows from the library, she was completely unsure about what she wanted to do during the first half of the movie. Upon meeting a young lad named Seiji Amasawa, she learns how to believe in herself and finds the resolve to be the best she could be.
If there was one thing that sets the film apart from the other Studio Ghibli movies I’ve seen, it would be its minimal use of fantastic elements. Although it displayed a rather playful use of magic during some parts of the film, it is actually the most realistic Ghibli film I’ve seen so far. It centers around the growth and ordinary lives of each character rather than throwing them into implausible and absurd situations. The plot was believable all throughout the film and the emotions of the characters were conveyed smoothly and gently. The art and animation wasn’t as grand and impeccable as the other Studio Ghibli films, but the simplicity of the visual and character designs fits the mood of the story well. The music didn’t really leave a lasting impression on me, but the introduction song was enough to capture my attention and engage me to continue watching.
One thing that I really like about this film is that it managed to accentuate the reality of youth and how they handle tough situations, whether it be in school, finding your passion and dream, or in relationships. It just seemed so true. The characters are very human and relatable. The ending kind of ticked me off a bit, though. I wasn’t really expecting it. The way they handled the love story was somewhat fast. That’s one aspect of the film that didn’t seem practical and realistic to me.
Overall, Whisper of the Heart delivers a heart-warming feeling that will appeal to those who are not waiting for the characters to endanger their lives by being caught up in unbelievable circumstances. If you want to see a picture of how adolescents slowly become open to the reality of life, Whisper of the Heart can give you that.
