When Marnie Was There

A story like no other.

“When Marnie Was There” follows Anna, an artistic but lonesome genius, as she moves into the countryside. There, she meets a mysterious girl, who she seems to have known before their initial encounter.

Hiromasa Yonebayashi did wonders with his directing. In typical Studio Ghibli fashion, the film boasts a wonderful understanding of exactly what messages it showcases, and also knows exactly who its characters are.

But, arguably, the film’s biggest strength lies in its core: it is a triumphant, gentle tale of wanting to belong. Without giving anything away, I assure you that if you have ever gone through a feeling of longing, you will relate to this film. It is handled with such care, such understanding, that it feels as if the creators themselves have gone through an emotion as strong as the one that is being portrayed.

Despite having such relatability, “When Marnie Was There” is not without its flaws. In terms of technicality, some of the editing between scenes can be a bit awkward at times. It seems as if the filmmakers didn’t know how to end a certain scene, and just had to uncomfortably transition to the next.

However, the hardest negative to get over is a bit more apparent: the first real encounter between Anna and Marnie felt a tad forceful. Though they had met in another way before, that first meeting seemed rushed, and I had a hard time fully grasping their relationship immediately.

7/10- Despite having some small editing and character relationship flaws, “When Marnie Was There” is a triumphant tale of wanting to belong.