When Marnie Was There (2014)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is definitely a slower-paced film but one that intrigued me enough to keep watching and, I'm so glad I did. Made by the critically acclaimed "Studio Ghibli", it's not hard to see why. The hand-drawn animation is fantastic you can tell effort went into every frame of the film. I had no idea where it was going, while it was fun trying to figure it out. I was also anxious about how it would end. I so desperately wanted these characters to be ok and for the story to have a happy ending.

Speaking briefly about the ending now so as not to spoil it. Sad though it may be it was a kind of happy sad that emphasises the beauty of life plus the importance of friends, family and the impact they can have on our lives. So much of the film is open to interpretation. Did any of it happen, or was it all part of Anna's imagination? No answer is wrong. It works just as well either way.

A beautiful film that I recommend everyone try at least once.