Spirited Away2001; Japan; 125 min.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki
Music: Wakako Kaku, Joe Hisaishi, Mike Castongtuay, Marc Terenzi, Ben Bledsoe
Cast (voices in the Japanese version):
Rumi Hîragi - Chihiro/Sen
Miyu Irino - Haku
Mari Natsuki - Yubaba/Zeniba
Yumi Tamai - Lin
Bunta Sugawara - Kamajii
Takashi Naitô - Chihiro's Father
Yasuko Sawaguchi - Chihiro's Mother
I was quite upset when I learned that we would be viewing a Japanese anime film. I have to admit, though, that I have never actually seen anime before. Based on my own knowledge about anime (which is very little), I had formed a prejudice opinion that anime included silly little cartoons and characters with squeaky voices, running around aimlessly. When I began watching this film, I was prepared to endure a torturous five days. Plus, "North By Northwest" is definitely a hard act to follow in my book! So, as the film began, I became exposed to anime. Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" has totally changed my view of this film genre. I think that the plot of the film is absolutely brilliant and the way in which the film is executed is exceptional. This film is unlike a "cartoon" in the fact that everything in the film looks so real! It's absolutely unbelieveable! One scene, especially, that caught my attention was when there is a torrential rain storm and rain is falling on the bridge to the bathhouse. The effects in this movie are so real and incredible! As the days went by, I became fascinated with this movie, not wanting to leave when the viewing time was over.
Now that I've talked about my "anime enlightenment," I'll give some background on the plot. The story is about a young girl named Chihiro, who is moving to a new home with her mother and father. While riding in the car, Chihiro and her parents get lost and go through a tunnel into what appears to be a totally abandoned amusement park. When Chihiro's parents eye an enormous buffet, they sit down and indulge themselves. It is this point in the movie when Chihiro switches roles from being a child to being a parental figure. Chihiro scolds her parents for their recklessness in eating what is clearly someone else's food. Despite the fact that Chihiro knows that this is morally wrong and voices her opinion, Chihiro's parents continue bingeing and encouraging Chihiro that "it's okay." Soon after, Chihiro's parents are turned into pigs and Chihiro encounters a Japanese bathhouse, on a quest to turn her parents back into humans. The only way that Chihiro can stay is if she works, and since humans are immensely disliked, Chihiro is given a very labor intensive job. The viewers soon discover that this bathhouse is no ordinary Japanese bathhouse, but a bathhouse inhabited by spirits who go there for cleansing, renewal and rejuvenation. The rest of the plot unwinds as Chihiro is dubbed "Sen" and tries to help her friend (and possible love) Haku, as well as she tries not to upset Yubaba, her ominous, mean boss, and also tries to get her parents back. Overall, I highly recommend this movie to anyone, especially to people who have preconceived notions about anime! Also, when you watch the film, I recommend watching it in Japanese with English subtitles - the Japanese voices preserve the intentions of the film's script. "Spirited Away" has definitely changed my view of anime forever!
iRate: 4.5/5 spirits
(Now the stakes are high to pick another great film, Mr. D!)
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6az9wGfeSgM
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