Watch When Marnie Was There

When Marnie Was There is a breathtakingly beautiful animated film by Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the movie is based on Joan G. Robinson's novel of the same name. Released in 2014, it was the last film produced by Studio Ghibli before they went on hiatus, making it all the more special for the fans of the studio.

The film follows Anna Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle in a small seaside town for the summer. Anna is a lonely and introverted girl who struggles to make friends and find her place in the world. She suffers from asthma and is always isolated from her peers because of her illness. She feels that she doesn't fit in anywhere, not even in her own family. Her aunt and uncle, who are kind and loving, try to help her but Anna remains aloof and distant.

One day, while exploring the marshes and sand dunes near her aunt and uncle's house, Anna meets Marnie, a mysterious and ethereal girl who lives in a beautiful mansion on the other side of the bay. The two girls become fast friends and spend magical evenings together, sharing their deepest secrets and dreams. Marnie seems to be the only person who truly understands Anna and accepts her for who she is.

But as Anna spends more time with Marnie, she begins to uncover the secrets of her past and the truth about her friend's identity. The line between reality and fantasy blurs as Anna discovers that Marnie's life is linked to her own in mysterious ways. The story takes unexpected twists and turns as Anna unravels the mystery of Marnie's life and learns to confront her own fears and insecurities.

The animation in When Marnie Was There is nothing short of spectacular. The use of light and color is breathtaking, evoking a dreamlike and magical atmosphere that perfectly captures the mood of the story. The backgrounds are highly detailed and the character designs are distinct and memorable. The film features some of the most exquisite animation ever created by Studio Ghibli, and serves as a testament to the skill and artistry of the animators who created it.

The voice acting is also superb, especially by Sara Takatsuki, who plays Anna with a quiet intensity that perfectly captures the character's loneliness and longing. Kasumi Arimura and Nanako Matsushima also deliver nuanced performances as Marnie and Anna's aunt respectively.

What makes When Marnie Was There stand out from other Studio Ghibli films is its focus on the theme of loneliness and how it affects people. The film explores the idea that we are all connected to each other in ways that we might not even realize, and that friendship and love can help us overcome even the most difficult obstacles. The story is deeply moving, and will resonate with anyone who has experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation at some point in their life.

Overall, When Marnie Was There is a stunning and emotionally resonant film that showcases the best of Studio Ghibli's artistry and storytelling. It's a beautiful and poignant exploration of the human condition, and a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the greatest animation studios of all time.

When Marnie Was There is a 2015 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 72.