I've watched the original Whisper of the Heart by Studio Ghibly more than five times and I love it!
This here... well, it is terrible. I'm not sure if it's just Japanese acting, inspired by Noh theater that I simply do not understand, or bad writing, forcing OK actors to act terribly or if the actors are just plainly bad, but it's hard to watch. This over the top emotionalism, that is very much welcome in Anime (not Studio Ghibli Anime, but rather weaker works in the Shonen genre) is lost in live action.
Also, Seiji went to Italy to learn to build violins, not to learn to play the cello. What is this? And where is the grandfather? Even in the memory-part, where he should have been very much alive, they talk about him as if he were dead which is not in line with the Anime.
Whisper of the Heart
2022 [JAPANESE]
Action / Drama
5.5/10
178
Plot summary
Shizuku Tsukishima is a 3rd grade middle school student. She likes reading books. Shizuku meets Seiji Amasawa who is in the same grade and school that Shizuku attends. At first, she does not like him, but she becomes fascinated with his pursuit of his dream. Seiji also knows Shizuku's dream is to become a novelist. They vow to each other to achieve their dreams. Ten years later, Shizuku gave up her dream of becoming a novelist and now works as an editor for a publishing company that specializes in children's books. She struggles in her daily life at work. Meanwhile, Seiji is abroad and still pursuing his dream.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
March 20, 2023 at 02:21 PM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
It's difficult to watch
This is how Disney should make their live action
I watched Whisper Of The Heart (1995) when I was very young and it left a very deep impression on me. And now, I have the chance to watch its sequel and also live action of it. How did it go? Well, it went very well.
Shizuku and Seiji both are very well casted (teens and youth). Many scenes from its original can be seen here, with high quality and precision. Some modifications were made to fit the settings, such as Seiji learnt to be a cellist instead of violin maker, but it's alright. Overall, it's not affecting the story.
The story revolved around 25 years old Shizuku and Seiji in 1998, about Shizuku's working as an editor and Seiji chasing his dream as a cellist in Italy. Ten years of long distant relationship, can Shizuku and Seiji put aside their differences and become one although very far apart?!
Classic 8/10
Note: only one downside for me in this Ghibli classic live action, there's no Baroness for Baron, even though I really expected it.