In many ways, The Secret World of Arrietty is exactly what audiences seek when watching a Studio Ghibli movie. This film isn’t directed by Hayao Miyazaki but by Hiromasa Yonebayashi in his feature debut. The Secret World of Arrietty is still, visually and stylistically, exactly what viewers would expect. However, there’s something a little hollow behind the stunning landscape of the narrative, even as we’re drawn into the fantastical world of the fairy tale. Following the Thumbelina-esque Arrietty and her family, the film discusses themes of bravery, family, and what it takes to never give up.
Ghibli’s whimsical take on the story of the Borrowers has all the warmth and charm of its best installments, but it’s not quite as captivating. Arrietty and Shō are sweet characters, and it’s fun to spend time with them, but they’re not as compelling as I would’ve hoped. The way Arrietty and the world of the Borrowers are brought to life is the best part of the project. Using unexpected bits and pieces of our world and showing them to us through new eyes is how the story distinguishes itself.
The Secret World Of Arrietty Is Beautiful, But It Doesn’t Live Up To Ghibli’s Past Work
Helping To Usher In A New Era Of Ghibli, The Film Doesn’t Pack An Emotional Punch
It might not be entirely fair to compare The Secret World of Arrietty to Ghibli’s past work, but it’s almost impossible not to. The pastoral atmosphere of the film isn’t an uncommon aesthetic for a Ghibli movie and is made more effective since we’re shrunk down to Arrietty’s size and get to see the world through her eyes. However, as beautiful as the rural landscape is, this alone isn’t enough to carry the story. Despite the fantastical nature of the tale, the film is a little thin on plot.
Compared to the earlier Ghibli movie My Neighbor Totoro, which has similar themes, visual sensibilities, and grapples with children’s experiences with loss and abandonment, The Secret World of Arrietty doesn’t push itself far enough. Even the fantastical elements don’t feel as magical or effective because the project has such a contained scope. Though this is part of making the Borrower’s world realistic, I wish that I felt more swept away by the magic and not just by the animation.
The movie asks very little of the audience, allowing the viewer to be purely comforted.
The Secret World of Arrietty sometimes feels too much like a children’s movie, never quite trusting the audience to handle anything that would be genuinely upsetting. Though Shō’s story and experience with illness are raw, it doesn’t feel as real as it could. We never get to know as much about him as we do about Arrietty, making him a less interesting and more one-dimensional character. The budding friendship between them could have been more meaningful if we had cared more about them from the beginning.
This is what makes it so easy to watch The Secret World of Arrietty, as the movie asks very little of the audience, allowing the viewer to be purely comforted. The few action-oriented sequences and stressful moments that do come along act as slow, steady drops, disrupting the clear, smooth surface of the story. Even when Arrietty has to stand up and fight for her family, inspiring Shō to do the same, the pace remains deliberate, and we’re never genuinely worried that something bad will happen to Arrietty and her family.
The Secret World Of Arrietty Prioritizes Style & Feel Over Substance
Our Heroes & Villains Don’t Have Strong Enough Motivations To Be Compelling
One of the major issues with The Secret World of Arrietty is that the antagonistic forces are weak. From Haru, whose motivations for trying to catch the Borrowers don’t make sense, to the wider world’s dangers and even the separation between Arrietty and Shō, nothing feels particularly poignant. It’s a character-driven story, but even the development of Arrietty and Shō’s characters feels more stagnant than satisfying. They’re likable and kind, but in the grand scheme of things, they don’t reflect on the most pressing personal issues they face.
The Secret World of Arrietty might not be perfect, but it still manages to tug on our heartstrings before the story’s over, even if it’s more focused on atmosphere than narrative. Putting the film on when you’re in need of comfort and consistency is never a bad idea, as there’s nothing to truly dislike about the movie. If Studio Ghibli hadn’t already explored these narrative themes more fully and concretely, then The Secret World of Arrietty would feel fresher and more enduring.
The Secret World of Arrietty is available to stream on HBO Max.
