Honestly, one of the main reasons I wanted to watch this was because someone told me it was Ghibli film about lesbians. And it almost was. At least, that's what it initially seemed like. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't, but I really enjoyed it as a whole anyway.
The art and scenery is so beautiful, as usual, and easy to get swept up in. Every scene has such intricate detail, from the weeds and flowers in the grass to the little trinkets in the house. Being someone who hates the (American) country/rustic aesthetic, anime really makes the Japanese countryside look appealing.
I really liked Anna as a character, even if, like
@commonxreaction said, she is very unlikable at parts. I get that she's struggling with depression and that her first instinct is to lash out, but I can't help but feel like everyone is trying to include her and compliment her and be supportive, when she's acting like she has none of those things. I felt really bad for that girl she called a fat pig. So uncalled for.
And as much as I liked the people she stayed with (aunt and uncle? Family friends? Can't remember.), they did seem like, super lax. Even though she's not their kid, they let her wander off all day without so much as asking where she's going. First of all, she's already got mental health issues. Second, that woman's mother came and complained about her (exaggeratedly and annoyingly, but still), and she literally passed out in the street --
on more than one occasion -- and had to be brought home by someone. And these people just...don't care? Seems irresponsible.
Speaking of irresponsible adults, why does that one guy just row his boat in the marsh, by himself, like every day?
I admit I found the Marnie bit frustrating until the end. Like
@commonxreaction, my immediate thought was that she was a ghost living in the haunted house -- especially when that painter girl says something like, "So you've met Marnie too," and when Sayaka finds her diary in the house. But at that point, Anna says that she's imaginary, which I did not get at all up until that point. Anna saw the house and waded across the river to talk to her imaginary friend? Seems like a stretch. I guess you could argue that it's some combination of the supernatural elements/the fact that it's actually her grandmother luring her there.
The doll thing bothered me, too. By the end, they reveal that Marnie is Anna's grandmother, but there are also flashbacks of her having a doll that looks exactly like Marnie. Maybe that was just how she imagined Marnie in her mind because she had nothing else to go off of? But it seems like a weird connection to make when the doll has literally nothing to do with anything else. I really want some clarification on the symbolism, I guess.
Additionally, the relationship between Marnie and Anna seemed very romantic to be revealed as grandmother/granddaughter at the end. I know a lot of it can be written off as familial love and strong bonds, but there are some parts that are just...too much? For example, Anna being jealous of Kotsuhiko, saying "He's a really good dancer," and Marnie even acknowledging it by dancing with her. Maybe it's a translation thing, or maybe it's just me. I dunno.
But in the end, even though I wanted it to be more romantic and more supernatural than it was, I really felt for Anna. I felt lonely and jealous and hurt for her, and eventually happy, too. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Marnie -- she kind of fell flat to me. But maybe that's because we're seeing it from an outsider's point of view, just like Anna is. After all, we never
really get to know Marnie -- just the pieces of her that we get through Anna, and through stories. It's hard to tell with Ghibli, but I guess it's supposed to be ambiguous. Maybe that's for the best. 4.5/5 for emotions, nostalgia, and art.
P.S. The song at the end was super fitting and sad and I loved it.
P.S.S. I really liked Anna's voice from the beginning, and I found out that she's voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, whose music I already like. She did a great job in this.
