by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What should you expect from a creator like Makoto Shinkai? This man is one of the greatest filmmakers working today (let’s forget the label of him “just directing anime”). Shinkai made a giant splash with his recent films like Your Name and Weathering with You. His films are gorgeous and create incredible connections with his audience. There is something about the way he weaves fantastic elements into a world like ours that is quite impressive. He has been able to make the leap around the world and become a great success, especially here in the United States.
But what is the new tale that Shinkai has in store for the audiences? Suzume centers around the titular young woman and an incredible journey that she must go on. She has lost her parents and lives a tumultuous existence with her aunt, even though they love each other so much. When she meets a young man who captures her attention, it turns out that he is a “Closer” who keeps doors closed that house great power and entities. When one is open too long and a strange cat appears, things get weird! Suzume and her new friend (who is cursed inside her favorite childhood chair) must go on a journey to keep these doors closed.
First off, does Suzume meet the high expectations and trademarks of Shinkai? This film is beyond gorgeous. Each frame is a work of art, as it captures the beauty of humankind, as well as some powerful entities who appear. These creations are large in scale and muster quite the impact when they arrive on screen. This hybrid world of realistic Japan and gorgeous portal worlds come together to create a wonderful canvas for a film filled with emotion.
Does Suzume reach the emotional depths worthy of Shinkai’s work? There are a few threads that come together to deliver an impressive feeling. At the core, you have this budding romance which also plays off with some laughs as Suzume is engaging with a three-legged child’s chair. Even though it takes some time to get past this strange yet humorous dynamic, there is a rock-solid love story there. The dynamic between Suzume and her aunt provides plenty of emotion, and delivers some of the most moving scenes in the film. There is even one deceit that lands so much heavier thanks to this dynamic.
Does the narrative rise and meet the visual and emotional quality of the journey? There are some elements in the film that work better than others. For the first half, there are a few occurrences of Suzume and her pal engaging in the same procedure over and over again. This does make it feel a bit too repetitive to truly soar. There are some pacing issues as well, as the film moves aways from the setup and rising action, into the final climactic confrontation. But once things shift and we reach the climax, all bets are off and the audience is treated to both a visual and impactful treat. Even the final moments might be the most beautiful in the film from both an emotional and visual standpoint.
Will Suzume deliver the same global impact as Shinkai’s other films? This film is a great balance of human drama, fantasy elements, and a dash of romance. Shinkai knows how to mix them all together into a perfect anime drink for the audience to consume. This is not the kind of animation you are used to, but it certainly delivers a unique experience worth venturing on.
Score: 8/10
Suzume is currently playing in theaters
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