whisper of the heart
Written by Evan Moyle
Whisper of the Heart, directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and written by Hayao Miyazaki, is about a bright young girl named Shizuku Tsukishima, who dreams of becoming a writer. Shizuku is a curious young girl and an avid reader who realises that all of her library books have previously been borrowed by a mysterious boy, Seiji Amasawa. Amid her adventures of meeting a peculiar antique dealer, writing her first novel and chasing after a large cat, she’s come to meet a mysterious young boy who may be her soulmate. The film genre is a mix of romance and slice of life. It also happens to be one of the few Ghibli films set in a more urban environment.
The plot is not the only thing that makes a movie perfect. Studio Ghibli films have never been a disappointment, especially to me. Whisper of the Heart is special, it's refreshing and has such a calming vibe. While the movie is a slow-paced slice of life, it is so profoundly impactful and magical not to mention how all the characters are very likeable. Shizuku and Seiji talk about what they want to achieve in the future, their respective aspirations and interests as they take a stroll past the Tokyo skyline late into the evening. Miyazaki does an outstanding job of fleshing out each character and genuinely humanising them. It's endearing to watch Shizuku gradually find her place in the world. One truly feels connected to the characters in the movie and watches proudly as they progress in the story. Seeing the relationship between Shizuku and Seiji develop while simultaneously seeing them develop as individuals creates a bond between the characters and the viewer.
The bike scene is easily my favourite part of the movie. It's a visual representation that Seiji is determined to learn to master the craft of violin making in order to support himself and Shizuku financially. With her on the back of his bike, he's struggling to make it up the hill, while on the other hand Shizuku is clearly not having it. She jumps off and begins pushing the bike up the hill. She wants to support them too by pursuing her dream of writing.
Shizuku is struck with sorrow when Seiji reveals to her that he is leaving to chase his dreams to study violin making in Italy. This doesn't last for long as she pieces herself back together and decides to focus on her own ambition and begin to write her novel. Slowly she becomes obsessive in her writing and neglects taking care of herself physically and mentally. This ends with a blow-up argument with her sister. She lifts herself up with the support of her family which is heartwarming to watch. The movie then morphs into fantasy and action as the watchers get to see what goes on in Shizuku's imagination as she writes. This is yet another technique Miyazaki uses to connect us to Shizuku and her life.
Seiji returns from his trip to Italy and takes Shizuku to watch the sunrise. This romantic moment between them warms your heart as he goes on to ask if Shizuku would one day marry him. Overall the film was a thoughtful and beautiful story about finding and pursuing your own ambitions and inspiration. Not striving for perfection but striving to create something meaningful for yourself. Something that you can take pride in without the pressure of needing to please other people. Throughout the movie, a lot of valuable advice was given to Shizuku and it was something that I took away from the movie.
The plot, cinematography, soundtrack and small details make this movie so wonderful. Every detail of this movie was thoughtful and intentional, really making the watcher feel immersed and connected to the characters and the plot. Whispers of the Heart is definitely my favourite Studio Ghibli film, it's so comforting and is a beautiful movie that will continue to be enjoyed by many for years to come.
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