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Film: The Illusionist
Release date: 14th February 2011
Certificate: PG
Running time: 90 mins
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Starring: Edith Rankin, Jean-Claude Donda, Jil Aigrot, Didier Gustin, Frédéric Lebon
Genre: Animation
Studio: Pathe!
Format: DVD
Country: France/UK
Sylvain Choment’s latest film adapts a script by Jacques Tati. The film’s unique style is only being shown in forty cinemas across the UK, its box office status falling behind the animated Pixar hit Toy Story 3.
The 1950s were the days of the dying music hall which is where we find our Illusionist, performing to disinterested audiences in virtually empty theatres in Paris. His performing days, sadly, are numbered, and so we join him on a journey to a theatre in London.
Here his act follows a hideously pompous boy band, equipped with ridiculous hair and screaming fans. They are just one of the reasons why his quaint art is dying out. He performs to ever decreasing audiences from small theatres, garden parties to pubs and off licences. A pub in the highlands is celebrating the installation of electricity and it is here that he meets Alice, an innocent and hard working chambermaid.
It isn’t clear whether she totally believes his tricks are magical, but either way he is happy to finally be appreciated, and so indulges her fantasy.
In awe of his tricks, she follows him to Edinburgh where he buys her expensive gift after expensive gift. Soon he has to seek out other work to supplement his lack of funds. Her naivety is dangerous for the conjurer, although his intentions are honourable...
Though neither of the main characters is particularly bad, Alice’s innocence grates towards the end, and the audience is left wondering how she could be so naïve, as she cannot be oblivious to the hard times that all music hall performers are facing. She encounters depressed clowns contemplating suicide and out of work puppeteers in the building, but perhaps that is the reason for her later actions.
The little dialogue is mumbled fragments of French and Gaelic, which leaves the stunning animation and music to express the story. Apparently Tati wanted the script to be live action, but this film proves animation isn’t just for children. It captures the death of music hall and the societal changes that the illusionist is faced with everywhere he goes.
Flickering black-and-white images on the television sets in a shop window captivate and excite Alice and those of her age far more than the conjurer, whose tricks can be seen up his sleeve. Though the piece is tinged with tragedy, it is more melancholic and delicate in its delivery.
The dreary circumstances of this aging illusionist, whose rabbit doesn’t even want to cooperate, are, however, punctuated with humour. Chomet is somehow able to make the image of a suicidal clown, slumped on his sofa and honking his nose, comic. The comedy has an edge to it that offers the audience light relief to the intertwining stories of the performers, even though it is stabbed with panic - in particular, a sequence with the angry rabbit soup in a depiction of misunderstanding. The Illusionist searches through his soup looking for the horrifying evidence that he is about to eat his pet, and long serving friend, until Alice returns.
It may seem that Sylvain Chomet became too attached to the story, and its relation to Jacques Tati’s past. Apparently Tati wrote the script in 1956 in an attempt to make amends with his estranged eldest daughter, Chomet, however, believes his daughter Sophie is the true inspiration. The film is basically a homage to Jacques Tati, the Illusionist looks like him and even stumbles into a cinema where Mon Oncle is showing. This may have hindered growth for the script, but Chomet is the only person capable of delivering such a nostalgic and personal film to the screen. Yet an audience removed from the understanding that Tati’s relationship with his daughters is the main inspiration for the film may feel emotionally detached throughout.
Those who are followers of Tati’s work or loved Belleville Rendez-vous will inevitably be drawn to such as personal piece. As will those seeking out a different experience from Disney, Pixar and even Studio Ghibli animation. This film, however, may confuse or bore those who are looking for the usual Hollywood narrative. It is a shame the detail of this touching story will be overlooked by so many. KH
Film: Whisper Of The Heart
Release date: 10th April 2006
Certificate: PG
Running time: 111 mins
Director: Yoshifumi Kondo
Starring: Youko Honna, Kazuo Takahashi, Takashi Tachibana, Shigeru Muroi, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi
Genre: Anime
Studio: Optimum
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
This is the tenth film from Studio Ghibli, and the only one to be directed by Yoshifumi Kondō. He was meant to join the ranks of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata in the company but passed away a few years after the film’s release.
Shizuku Tsukishima, in junior high school, is meant to be revising for her exams, but, instead, she spends her time in the library. Here, she discovers, to her annoyance, that a certain Seiji Amasawa has already checked out all the books she requires.
The following day she shows a friend her lyrics for their graduation ceremony, a catchy cute version of ‘Country Roads’. These lyrics end up in the hands of a boy her age who calls them ‘corny’ and subsequently leads to her irritable mood for the rest of the day and to dub him “stupid jerk.”
She meets a grumpy fat cat on the train and, curious, ends up following him to an antique shop. Inside, she finds a smartly attired cat called Baron Humbert von Jikkingen. A character so intriguing that in 2002 Studio Ghibli revived him for the role of The Baron In The Cat Returns.
Upon returning to the shop to speak with Nishi, the owner, about the baron’s life, Shizuku bumps into the “stupid jerk” again. Here she finds out that not only is he Nishi’s grandson but also Seiji Amasawa! Shizuku’s life takes a turn from this point on. Her feelings for Seiji unexpectedly change, as well as her worsening attitude to her work. She watches Seiji strive to reach his dream of becoming a world class violin maker, and decides to aim for her own dream of becoming a writer…
This film is about reaching the goals in our lives, the setbacks and the preparation needed are not ignored or unrealistic, which is what makes this animation another classic from Studio Ghibli. The film shows people, of any age, that they can strive for their dreams. It draws on the innocence and hope of children whilst also capturing wonderfully the pressures of adult life. This is illustrated through both Shizuku’s mother, who is studying herself, and her sister, who is joining the world of work. The issues related to growing up and young love is at the heart of this narrative but not over emphasised in an unnecessary manner, which gives it a refreshing approach to the subject.
Originally based on a manga of the same name by Mangaoi Hiiragi, the script was written by Hayao Miyazaki. It follows the same themes of love, growing up and striving for one’s dreams found in his other screenplays, such as Castle In The Sky and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Though they are well trodden, they never lose their charm for an audience. They can be translated into anybody’s life, which is why stories such as this will remain timeless.
The realism of the dialogue reaches right down to the teachers and staff at the school. It portrays the perfect picture of sibling rivalry through their jibes and arguments. Though the elder sister is irritating compared to our favoured protagonist, the audience cannot help but sympathise with how hard she works. This depth and strength of character is what makes this film a true Studio Ghibli.
The charm of Studio Ghibli, like Disney and Pixar films, is that despite the age of the characters and issues of growing up and dealing with teenage life, they truly are films for all ages. Yet Studio Ghibli transcends the realm of reminiscing, which is the only charm for Disney and Pixar. It can be enjoyed on another level entirely because the storytelling is so realistic and unique. The animation is something to be admired; hand drawn, breathtakingly cinematic and quirky, there is nothing quite like the imaginations seen in Japanese animation.
At a time when Studio Ghibli was being internationally recognised, this film earned its place as one of their most popular. However, it wasn’t given the time of day by British cinemas, of course. It is best enjoyed with the original Japanese cast; however, the British dubbed version includes the likes of Brittany Snow, Jean Smart and Harold Gould, and is also brilliantly done.
The only niggling problem with this story is how understanding Shizuku’s parents are about her putting her studies aside to pursue her dream without even knowing what dream it is. Though this is the main premise of the film, their patience borders on disinterest for their daughter’s passion. Yet, despite this, the romantic tale does not suffer but is used to direct us further into Shizuku’s imagination as her novel unfolds in an unknown magical world.
This is a beautiful story of young love and following your dreams, and is a definite must for anyone who enjoys Japanese animation. Whether you’re acquainted with Studio Ghibli’s previous masterpieces or not, you won’t be disappointed or be able to stop yourself hunting for more. KH
