The beginning of the film was somewhat disappointing. Sluggishly developing action, household psychological sketches ... It remained only to have fun with close observation of the trifles of modern Japanese life - it is interesting to observe the everyday life of residents of another country with their own eyes, without "cranberries" and deliberate exoticism.
Then the theme of mystical expectation, almost suspense, woven into the meditative atmosphere (in a parody way, but the heroine is really afraid!) However, the horror story quickly turns into a good fairy tale - and the story of Momo's friendship with the guardian spirits begins. It is this friendship that helps her overcome feelings of guilt and, as it were, return to the real world, turn her gaze to the future - and help free herself from the same problems of her mother.
In general, history is simple and its morality is banal. “Letter for Momo” reminds the viewer of a number of capital truths: “do not part with your loved ones”, “you can not live in the past”, “for the sake of saving loved ones you need to be brave and go to the end”, etc. Add to this a drawn-out introduction and a pathos-idyllic ending - and it would turn out the movie is not at all in my taste.
But here everyone is saved by the guardian spirits. I am generally not indifferent to Japanese mythology; in addition, bizarre creatures with their funny antics favorably shade the reference “lyricism” of this anime. They vividly reminded me of our Soviet comedy trinity Trus-Balbes-Experienne. Yes, maybe this is a kind of movie stamp - well, all right, the main thing is that this move achieves its goal. These creatures can not be loved, so they seem familiar, as if he invented them in childhood. And the swarm of their friends, accompanying the characters in the climactic scene, reminded his careless drawing of the “otherworldly” extras from the old animated series about Ghostbusters – and caused another pleasant memory from childhood.
Bottom line: My wife, after watching it, ironically described Letter for Momo as "warm checkered anime." Indeed, this film turned out to be some very cozy, but, nevertheless, did not cross the boundaries and did not fall into the category of sweet. It is Momo’s kind humor and mystical friends that save him from falling into the category of “films-where-everything-everything-talking-and-nothing-happening” that I don’t like. Miyazaki is a long way off, but the film is definitely good.
8 out of 10
Original