Review: ‘Only Yesterday’ gets new audience with English-dub (Includes first-hand account)

For several decades, the animated films of Studio Ghibli have been some of the most acclaimed and revered. Following his Oscar win in 2003, most of the recognition has been given to director Hayao Miyazaki. Admirers began to scour his filmography, consuming all that he produced before and creating a Western demand for everything that came after; Disney has since taken up the charge of releasing English dubs of his movies for North American audiences. But Miyazaki is not the studio’s only director and since his retirement, attention has spread to other filmmakers at Ghibli. Now, Isao Takahata’s Only Yesterday is receiving a North American theatrical release to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Taeko (Daisy Ridley) works in Tokyo and is of an age at which people have begun to question why she is not yet married. But she’s content and in no hurry to alter her lifestyle. What is actually unusual is in the summer she uses her vacation time to go to the country and work on a farm. She’s befriended the family and is returning to help with the safflower harvest. However, during this trip she is accompanied by the memories of her fifth grade self whose experiences left an impression unrecognized until now. Recollecting these events out loud, she forms a bond with Toshio (Dev Patel), a young man who runs a nearby organic farm.

In an age of CG animation filled with smooth lines and dynamic everything, there is still something to be said about hand-drawn pictures. Often times the backgrounds and sets are stationary, clearly a permanent and unmoving part of the scene; lovely landscapes of valleys and trees, a road running through town or fields of rice paddies create the immobile backdrop for the action. Occasionally these are produced with a noticeably different technique, such as water colours, which adds an additional layer to the visual appeal. Conversely the characters move fluidly through these scenes, indiscernibly mixing with their surroundings.

The past takes precedence as Taeko reminisces about her childhood. She remembers her first crush; her first vacation outside of the city; dealing with puberty; having her dreams crushed; and learning some other difficult lessons. Most of the memories aren’t inspired by related incidents, but rather emerge as a result of Taeko examining this period of her life and revisiting these sometimes humorous and often emotional events. There are far fewer scenes involving the adult Taeko and they are much less eventful, though her budding relationship with Toshio does provide a point of interest.

Although the film is a little drawn out, it’s still a beautiful depiction of childhood’s confusions.

Director: Isao Takahata
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel and Alison Fernandez

Similar Posts

  • ‘Solo’ swaggers with the best in the galaxy (Includes first-hand account)

    More than 40 years ago, audiences were introduced to a loveable scoundrel whose chauvinist charm won hearts and fearless audacity earned envy. Han Solo’s love affair with Princess Leia, almost lifelong friendship with Chewbacca and affection for the Millennium Falcon are just some of his most recognizable traits. But he was already an established pilot and smuggler when he made his entrance into the Star Wars universe, so little was known about his past. Although where Han came from was not a question on the tip of many tongues, it is an answer his fans may find interesting. Thus, the latest standalone film in the franchise, Solo: A Star Wars Story, goes back to the hero’s beginnings.

  • Review: ‘I Am Big Bird’ is a delightful record of the character and man (Includes interview)

    There are certain aspects of childhood that carry through from one generation to the next. Since its inception, Sesame Street has been one of those pieces. Created by The Muppets originator Jim Henson, the show was intended to entertain and teach a young audience. Human characters would interact with the Muppet personalities and demonstrate valuable life and educational lessons. Though the furry, fuzzy and feathered creatures became international sensations, little was known about the people who operated them allowing them to maintain their anonymity in spite of being worldwide stars. I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story sheds some light on the man who’s brought life to the lovable yellow bird and his grouchy friend for nearly 50 years.

  • Review: ‘The Witch’ is creepy in ways totally unrelated to the title (Includes first-hand account)

    In spite of deep religious beliefs, fear and superstition was arguably an equal if not greater influence on the lives of early settlers. It’s one of the key reasons witch hunts have a significant role in American history. It was simpler to assign responsibility for unexplained and/or devastating events to an evil entity (Devil) or his servant than to endure it without recourse. By ridding themselves of the so-called perpetrator, they presumably remove the possibility of recurrence. In The Witch, an innocent lie snowballs into indefensible condemnation and self-fulfilling prophesy.

  • Review: This week’s releases highlight the consequences of war

    This week’s releases include 007’s last hurrah; a new foe for an alien and his host; a different kind of post-war drama; an exceptional animated trilogy; a prequel to a popular TV series; a holiday classic remastered; and a few film noir tales.