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This film...is the only film that has made me cry for 15 minutes straight. This is Grave Of The Fireflies.
To be honest, I watched this when I was on a Studio Ghibli marathon. Compared to the other SG films, I thought it would be just like the rest. Cute, happy, and magical. I never took the time to look into the story, or read any reviews about it. I felt like I didn't need to. That being said... I don't watch moves without at least knowing what they are about anymore.
I'm not saying Grave of The Fireflies is a bad film. It's actually one of the best films of all time (in my opinion). It's just the amount of emotion packed into this film is almost too much to bear. It's a film I can honestly only watch 1 time a year.
It doesn't matter how many time I watch it, I always end up just an absolute wreak. Even though I know the horrible things that happen, and I try to prepare myself, it just doesn't matter.
I never thought an animated movie could make me feel the way this movie does. I also feel like it has a lot to do with the fact that I have a sister close to the age of Setsuko. I can feel Seita's pain for his sister, and the events that occur with Setsuko just rip my heart in two. I can't help but think 'oh my god what if Lela (my sister) and me where in this situation'.
The portrail of the disgusting acts of war and violence is sickning. It just makes you want to stand up and say 'WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!'. The little bits of love between Setsuko and Seita makes it easier to digest, but there is always a dark and deep depressing feel no matter how hard you try to shake it off. The saddest thing about this film is they try SO HARD to have things be normal again. I also recently found out that it's loosely based off of a BOOK which means some aspects of this movie are real, which makes this movie 5X more depressing.
This film is good for anyone who wants a harsh look at how horrible the Japanese were treated during WWII, or a touching tale about 2 siblings and their fight for survival. Or if your feeling like watching the most depressing film ever on a cloudy day.
9.5/10
