My Whisper of the Heart review is spoiler-free!
I related to Whisper of the Heart's protagonist. She was a middle-school kid named Shizuku Tsukishima. I'm a creative writer, a night owl, a vivid daydreamer, an enjoyer of long walks, and an introvert like she was. I felt as if she could have been related to me. Shizuku's passion for being a literary artist is first displayed when she wove her lyrics within John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads (a song that I didn't realize my fondness for until I experienced this film). Her unique renditions of that 1974 single reminded me of a time in my childhood where I wrote an unofficial addition to Dave Pilkey's Captain Underpants. My fan-fiction story had an abysmal quality (it was also quite violent for a kids' series), yet none of us (artists and non-artists alike) create our masterpieces on our first attempts. That aforementioned theme is exemplified when someone gifted their constructive criticism to Shizuku's first draft of her novel (also called Whisper of the Heart). They affectionately pointed out her manuscript's rawness (its structural rough edges and blunt emotional expressions), while they honestly expressed their admiration for the story itself, its reflection of the author's heartfelt authenticity, and its supply of catharsis for their heartache. Shizuku thought her story would be awful, but that review lifted her spirits. The critique also gave her courage to improve her novel, and this reminded me that nice but dishonest assessments of our work can lead us to dismay when we know it has some flaws, even as many of us are often our harshest critics. ~ ~ ~ Though Shizuku seemed to narrate her own life, instead of merely talking to herself, as she frequently spoke her inner thoughts and unfolding events while she was alone (my observation of this is a nitpick), I love how she expressed gratitude, even when she was by herself. I'm also a fan of how she was characterized: generally cheerful and not a loner, yet also lonely from not sensing creative connection with anyone. Her loneliness was subtly expressed by some of her Take Me Home, Country Roads lyrics. By the way, her obsessive tendency when she created her first novel resonated with me. One of Whisper of the Heart's themes is this: achieving a healthy work-life ratio is necessary for one's physical, mental, and social well-being. Speaking of which, I admired that creating art is recognized as work in this film. Furthermore, I enjoyed how Shizuku's parents allowed her to pursue her passions (without sacrificing her responsibilities), and I appreciated how Shizuku and her family's cluttered apartment coexisted with their hard work ethic, rather than laziness. Their living quarters is a reflection of being overworked. Whisper of the Heart is charming. ~ ~ ~ ★ Film Details ★ Directed by: Yoshifumi Kondō Screenplay by: Hayao Miyazaki Based on: Whisper of the Heart by Aoi Hiiragi Genre: Coming-of-age Release Year: 1995 ~ ~ ~ My other Studio Ghibli film reviews:
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