Review of Family Film: "The Secret World of Arrietty"

As fans of movies from Studio Ghibli, particularly those directed by anime master Hayao Miyazaki — Ponyo, Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky so far — my daughter Violet and I were excited to see The Secret World of Arrietty (opening today in 9 NJ locations). Arrietty is written and supervised by Miyazaki, but directed by first timer Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The film's glorious color palette, attention to nature, and charming details are enchanting, particularly since Arrietty (voiced by Bridgit Mendler) is a Borrower, and very tiny. The pair of earrings used as climbing tools, sticky double-sided tape for scaling a cupboard, and rain drops that cling to Arrietty's clothes like snow globes, are quite captivating, as is Arrietty herself, with her scrappy personality, cute dresses and Julia Roberts' hair. The story, however, never brings the magic.

The Secret World of Arrietty is based on Mary Norton's adventure novels "The Borrowers," about tiny people who live below the floor, in a shabby chic bungalow, and sneak off in the night to borrow only what they need from the 'human beans' above. A tissue can last them months! A recurring theme in Miyazaki's movies is that children need freedom, a chance to learn about the world around them, and develop the self-possession to not get eaten by the cat. Arrietty maintains this integrity, but what it doesn't have is the strangeness and heart that you count on in Miyazaki's films.

The closest it gets is with Arrietty's family. A stoic father named Pod (voiced by Will Arnett), and a hysterical mother named Homily (voiced by Amy Poehler), who despite their own fears about discovery and their growing daughter's independence, love and trust her. She is kind and helpful to them, with only a bit of teenage manipulation. I found this refreshing and genuine. 

Arretty's adventures lead her to develop a friendship with a 'bean' named Sean (voiced by David Henrie). He's harmless and he has his own burdens, and if only he were a little smaller and Arrietty a little taller, this might have been a bit of a teen romance. I found myself bored with their exchanges, and anxious for Arrietty to get back to her family. There's also a crazy maid, out to find the little people in the floor, voiced by Miss Hannigan herself, Carol Burnett. 

The score is lovely, and as an ode to the wonders of nature and goodness, it's a fine family film, if only the pacing weren't so erratic and Sean less sodden. Despite my reservations, Violet loved it and I think children with decent attention spans will enjoy it as well.