As I watched Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, I wondered if I should think about it differently because it's an animated film, in a different way, that is, than the way I usually consider movies. I think, to some degree, that is a valid line of reasoning; after all, many animated films are made for a different audience, the technical aspects are completely different, even the acting (voices, not faces) is in a whole different realm. In many ways, I am forced to think about it differently.
But then there are some rules that apply to any kind of storytelling, and in this way I found that Spirited Away does not always line up with what I like to see in a movie. Or a television show or a novel or a play, for that matter. But first let me discuss the animation.
This is the first Miyazaki film I have seen, so I'm sure I am not qualified to write about it. I will say, though, as so many critics and fans have said before, that the imagination involved in this animation is absolutely staggering. There is stuff in this movie that only small children could come up with and only experienced master artists could put on screen. From what I have read, Miyazaki does it all. This is beyond impressive.
If you are unfamiliar with Miyazaki, as I was, you might want to know that this is not like the Japanese animation you are used to. It's good. The detail involved in the art is beyond just about any animation I have ever seen. This movie is a joy to look at.
The story involves a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro whose family is moving to a new town. On the way to their new home, her parents stop the car at a mysterious tunnel and decide to explore. Once through the tunnel, the family discovers what the father believes to be an old theme park. The parents stumble upon a building full of fresh food and, despite the desperate pleadings of Chihiro, they sit down and devour the food, her father reassuring her, "Don't worry; I have credit cards."
This strikes me as an important point: Miyazaki is portraying the wisdom of a little girl juxtaposed with the foolishness and gluttony of her parents. We might assume it would be the other way around. Interesting.
Chihiro wanders off while her parents gorge themselves. She finds a tall building in the middle of the park which she later finds out is a bathhouse, a sort of vacation spot for spirits. She meets a boy named Haku who tells her to get out, that Yubaba, the spirit who runs the bathhouse, will try to rob her of her identity. When she returns to her parents, she finds that they have been turned into pigs. This is one of the most creative and disturbing scenes in the film.
Chihiro is informed that in order to keep her identity and remain at the bathhouse, she must get a job. She finds one in the boiler room, under the intimidating but lovable Kamaji. The rest of the film's story involves a number of run-ins and adventures surrounding the bathhouse. This is a confusing and disturbing world Chihiro has stumbled upon.
There are so many memorable characters in Spirited Away, mostly because of the bizarre ways in which they are drawn. Yubaba is an old woman with a wrinkly head as big as Chihiro's entire body. Kamaji is an eight-limbed man who can extend his arms a far as he wants. There is a "stink spirit" who is caked in mud and garbage. I cannot say enough good things about this animation. Not that I know much, but I don't think people are far off when they use the word "genius" in regards to it.
On a different level, though, the film is not as satisfying. Yes, the plot is imaginative and its message is filled with a pure and hopeful meaning. But it seems to me that the story serves the animation, and I think it should be the other way around. It feels like Miyazaki has so many great visual ideas that he manipulates the story and characters to allow for those ideas to take place. And they are wonderful ideas, make no mistake. But personally, I think I might prefer a focus on story first.
Remember when you were young and you played games with other kids and they would try to change the rules in the middle of a game in order to gain an advantage? Spirited Away feels a little like that. The very first thing I learned in my directing class is that you must set up rules for the world of your story and then follow those rules. It seems like Miyazaki's rules keep changing. There can be no real conflict or consequences if the audience knows that a new rule will inevitably be created to allow for a solution to every problem. The film's conclusion is the best example of this.
This probably is not a problem for children, and I think they are part of the film's intended audience. In that respect, I can't think of any animated movie that would be this entertaining or moving. Maybe WALL-E.
At any rate, you should certainly see Spirited Away. Form your own opinions. If you believe what film critics say, all of my negative thoughts about it are wrong. I am definitely glad to have seen it and plan to view it many more times. I'm sure I'll find new wonders upon additional viewings.
Note: 2002 U.S. release.
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