Watching a film by Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli is like falling through the rabbit hole - you enter a whole new beautiful, exciting, and magical world. The Secret World of Arrietty puts a new perspective on our own world. There's magic even in an ordinary kitchen if you're less than a foot tall.
That's is exactly what it's like for the Borrowers. The Borrowers are tiny people that live under the floors, who survive by taking only what they need from the humans. A drop of water is enough for them to fill one of their jugs, and a sugar cube could last them a whole month. To them, everything appears to be on a much grander scale. The animation and sound in Arriety really give a feel as to what that is like, making their view of the world realistic and exciting.
Not only is the world interesting, but so is the cast of characters. Arrietty, despite being a Borrower, is very much like your typical 14-year-old girl. She's curious, fun-loving, and a little bit rebellious. Arriety also has a loving heart and a strong will to live. However Shawn, a human boy, is weak and so consumed by the thought of death that he is afraid to live.
Shawn comes to visit his Aunt's quiet cottage because he is ill and needs some tranquility. Yet he soon discovers the Borrowers through encounters with the young Arrietty, who is only trying to do her best at ‘borrowing'. These encounters turn both of their worlds upside-down, but their adventures help them form an unbreakable bond and teach them both a strong lesson about the importance of life.
I've always been a fan of Miyazaki's work, and Arrietty (written and executive produced by Miyazaki) did not disappoint. Hayao Miyazaki always manages to tell stories beautifully, weaving in adventure, humor, mystery, and a touch of romance. The messages in his films are always strong and clear; the tale of Arrietty teaches us how all life is important. Arrietty is a wonderful film that I'd recommend to everyone.
