

5 cm per second (Bysoku 5 senchimtoru) (2007) (Japan)

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Oh yes, I have recommended his Voices of a Distant Star (2003) and The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004). And guess what, this animation is EVEN BETTER!

Synopsis
The film in three parts, can be watched and understood either separately or as a continuation ... 

"Cherry Blossom Story" tells the childhood story of Takaki Tono and and Akari. Due to their parents' job, they are frequently on the move ... The story is told primarily through all the letters and also, the train trip to meet up with her before he leaves for somewhere further ...

"Cosmonaut" advances to Takaki's high school days. Now, the story is told from the perspective of Kanae, a girl who is secretly in love with Takaki. However, he always seems to look beyond her, to a love faraway ... Will she be able to reveal her love to him?

"A chain of short stories about their distance" tries to wrap up everything ... and maybe you should watch to know the ending ... 

My Thoughts

Three things touches ...

(1) THE ARTWORK

Simply breathtaking and amazing, esp. on the BIG screen, with the original print! ... wow ... the colors are correct, the lighting is great, everything looks so picturesque ... * I hope to watch on the BIG screen again * ...

(2) THE STORY ... THE EMOTIONS ... THE FEELING ...

(i) Unlike some Japanese anime that tries too hard (at times) to philosophize or be too cryptic (in its analogies), this film feels so REAL! And I tell my friend, it is very difficult to impress and imprint with a simple story without "dramatic" twists or surprises. And with these restrictions, if the director succeeds in stirring our emotions, he has achieved a great feat!

Yes, the film touches my heart ... if you have been in love before, if you have pined for someone before, if you have prayed the best for someone before, if you are simply a sentimental person, if you are simply an emotional person, the film will strike a chord ...

The film does not "engross" with plentiful plot, but it makes you "feel" for the characters; The film does not "grip" like a thriller, but it makes you "crave" to know what happens next and what happen to the protagonists ... 

Although you may NOT feel it immediately ... the film LINGERS ON ... probably minutes to hours after the film ...

(ii) Although I claim that the film is very accessible and easy to understand, you may choose to "philosophize" still ... with its frequent mention of ... time and distance ... love and life ... lost and loneliness ... etc, you can go ahead and marvel at how well the film is executed!

(3) THE MUSIC

-- One more time One more chance
Apparently, the director has chosen a familiar song so that the audience would feel even closer to heart (i.e., it is a story about their life and people they know) ...

-- I feel like providing the link to youtube. But on second thought, although the music is everywhere on the youtube, I think my accolades for the artwork may be muted by the less than perfect resolution, color and lighting, etc ... Furthermore, without watching the entire film (and the theme song only sounds near the end), one may be less stirred emotionally (i.e., as compared to an audience who have sat through the entire film and be absorbed into the story and characters)

Conclusion
Highly recommended. 

It should be watched on a BIG screen because of the artwork ... wow ... 
-- on the big screen, with the original print, i am confident that the color, lighting, etc is precise and correct ... 
-- i am NOT sure abt the DVD * maybe someone who have watched the DVD version could comment * 
-- also, * please do NOT spoil your impression by watching on youtube *

Honestly, I have always wondered why the Best Animation category in Oscar have omitted such great animation. (problem of language?! culture?! or distributor?!) 

IMHO, this animation 5 cm per second (Japan) and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Japan) are clearly MUCH better than Ratatouille, The Simpsons Movie, Shrek the Third, Bee Movie, TMNT, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Meet the Robinsons, etc etc etc

As for Tekkonkinkreet (Japan), I will comment on it next time - it is great, but at the same time cryptic and ambitious ...