The story is set in 1963 in Yokohama. Kokuriko Manor sits on a hill overlooking the harbour. A 16 year-old girl, Umi, lives in the house. Every morning she raises a signal flag facing the sea. The flag means “safe voyage”. A 17 year-old boy, Shun, always sees this flag from the sea as he rides a tugboat to school. In preparation for the following year’s Tokyo Olympics, people are destroying the old and believing only in the magnificence of the new. In that time, at a high school in Yokohama, a small struggle occurs. The building of the Culture Club, nicknamed Quartier Latin, is old but full of history and memories. Should it be destroyed or preserved? In the middle of this, Umi and Shun meet. Shun appeals to the students who want to protect the building. Umi suggests a big clean up of the building to show its good parts. Gradually the pair are drawn to each other but they are faced with a sudden trial. They may be siblings. Even so, they keep going without running from reality. Then, in the middle of the battle and the aftermath, they come to know how their parents met, loved and lived.
Goro Miyazaki had to endure some harsh criticism in 2006 when he directed his first animated movie Tales From Earthsea. Comparisons between himself and his famous father was bound to happen – after all he had a lot to live up to! I didn’t find anything wrong with Tales From Earthsea as I really liked it. The anticipation has been high on how his follow-up movie would do. I’m glad to say that his 2nd movie From Up On Poppy Hill is a brilliant addition to the Studio Ghibli catalogue and the wonderful nostalgic storyline was written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. This is slightly different from most of Ghibli’s movies as this one is set in the real world just like Only Yesterday and Whispers Of The Heart. There are no monsters and villains as such in this movie at all. The crux of the story deals with a conservation of an important historical building by students of a school and the impact the Korean War has on our two main characters. It also explores the theme of the old, traditional ways taking on the new, modern methods. In the years prior to the Tokyo Olympics, Japan was looking towards the future and trying not to look back. To make the country look good for the world’s visitors coming to Tokyo and the surrounding area, many buildings deemed not worthy of being conserved were torn down and replaced.
The animation as has always been with Studio Ghibli is magnificent once more. It’s crisp, shows fantastic detail and is such a joy to see. It really is such a beautiful movie to behold. The two lead characters (Umi and Shun) are extremely likeable and propel the story forward. Umi is seen to be a level headed, hard working person who hides the pain of losing her father who was a ship’s captain in the Korean War behind her calm mature exterior. Shun, the strong willed boy also has a damaged background much like Umi. Both like each other and there seems to be a romantic relationship developing between the two but it stalls when Shun finds out that Umi may be his sister. I won’t spoil how the issue is resolved but it’s handled very well. The supporting characters of the school students although not as developed as much as Umi and Shun add to the great atmosphere of the movie. As it is such a simple tale, some people might be disappointed by the lack of any exciting set pieces and fantasy elements. It just isn’t that kind of story I’m afraid.
So what’s the final verdict on From Up On Poppy Hill? Although not a classic from Ghibli, it is still a brilliantly charming animated movie with a well written character driven story. This movie should ensure that Goro Miyazaki isn’t criticised so badly this time round as it is a step forward from him. He has certainly grown as a director from his first effort. Recommended and definitely worth watching.
Sadako’s Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Good review. I felt that Tales from Earthsea was a decent title – not perfect but not a disaster either and I’m glad that Goro Miyazaki and his father Hayao worked together because it seemed like the two had a lot of friction over Earthsea.
As you said, it wasn’t perfect but I think it was harsh that Goro was given the Worst Director award in the Japanese version of the Rasperries in 2006. He didn’t deserve that at all and it must have hurt him deeply.
Having read all the books that Tales of Earthsea was based on (and then some), I still enjoyed the movie. I agree that the criticism was too harsh, but perhaps it pushed him to prove himself again and yet again. He definitely didn’t deserve such an award. (Such awards shouldn’t exist, as far as I’m concerned). I look forward to finding and watching this film. Since I adored Whispers of the Heart, I suspect I’ll be adding this one to my collection as well. Always enjoy reading what you have to offer here. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words!
P.S. That song in the clip reminds me of one of the songs from Spirited Away (the music box sounding one). Hmmm.