When Marnie Was There
Synopsis
Suffering from frequent asthma attacks, young Anna Sasaki is quiet, unsociable, and isolated from her peers, causing her foster parent endless worry. Upon recommendation by the doctor, Anna is sent to the countryside, in hope that the cleaner air and more relaxing lifestyle will improve her health and help clear her mind. Engaging in her passion for sketching, Anna spends her summer days living with her aunt and uncle in a small town near the sea. One day while wandering outside, Anna discovers an abandoned mansion known as the Marsh House. However, she soon finds that the residence isn't as vacant as it appears to be, running into a mysterious girl named Marnie. Marnie's bubbly demeanor slowly begins to draw Anna out of her shell as she returns night after night to meet with her new friend. But it seems there is more to the strange girl than meets the eye—as her time in the town nears its end, Anna begins to discover the truth behind the walls of the Marsh House. Omoide no Marnie tells the touching story of a young girl's journey through self-discovery and friendship, and the summer that she will remember for the rest of her life. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is polarized. Many viewers praise the film's beautiful animation, emotional depth, and exploration of themes like family and self-discovery, considering it a classic Ghibli masterpiece. However, others criticize the slow pacing, predictable plot, and potentially problematic themes, leading to a more mixed overall sentiment.
Strengths
- Beautiful art style and animation, typical of Studio Ghibli.
- Touching story about family and friendship with realistic undertones.
- Strong character development, especially for the main character, Anna.
- Evokes strong emotions and resonates with viewers who have experienced similar feelings of isolation or loss.
- Original storyline
Weaknesses
- Pacing issues, with a slow beginning and a redundant ending.
- The twist conclusion feels tired and predictable to some viewers.
- Story meanders into pretentious territory and lacks depth.
- Some find the plot boring and reliant on unearned sentimentality.
- Some consider the themes explored to be of lesbian incest.