MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
Japan, 1988, 86 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
My Neighbour Totoro is a delightful entertainment from Ghibli Studios. It is a product of the early years of director Hayao Myazaki. And it is interesting to look at in view of his later, very successful career, with Princess Mononpoke, his Oscar-winning Spirited Away, Ponyo by the Sea, Aritty, and his final film, The Wind rising.
The main elements are present, the distinctive drawing of the characters, Japanese but easily accessible to international audiences, the bright colours, the enjoyment of nature, the music and songs.
Miyazaki has always included touches of fantasies with his realism and this is the case here with the character of Totoro and his interventions for the children.
A light classic from Ghibli Studios.
1. The popularity of this animated film? In its time? As part of the work from the director and Studio Ghibli?
2. The audiences the 80s? Children? Adults? The style of animation, the drawing, the backgrounds, the characters, their facial expressions, actions? The songs? the musical score? Light and delightful?
3. The blend of realism and fantasy?
4. The basic situation, the family moving to the country, the father driving, the two daughters, into the countryside, discovering the house, all the details of the house and the buildings, the children playing, exploring, cleaning, refashioning the house?
5. The mother sick, in hospital, the going to the countryside to be near her? The grandmother and her looking after the house, her friendliness, care for the girls? The awkward boy, his deliveries?
6. The father, going to town, the girls, enjoying the trip, the town itself, people, shops? The visit to the hospital? Seeing their mother, wanting her to come home? Her illness and its seriousness?
7. The children, playing, going into town, the little girl following, taking the wrong turn, lost? The details search her, everyone involved?
8. The fantasy, Totoro, his size, playfulness, the baby? His appearing to the girls? Holding them, comforting them, helping them? Friend and neighbour?
9. The resolution, the father with the children, hopes for the mother’s return?
