Join us as we explore The Secret World of Arrietty in this movie review.
The Secret World of Arrietty, a captivating animation film produced by Studio Ghibli, introduces us to a world filled with wonder. The Secret World of Arrietty is based on the Borrowers, and revolves around Arrietty, a tiny Borrower girl who lives with her family beneath the floorboards of a home in the countryside.
As they strive to remain hidden from the human “Beans,” Arrietty’s curiosity and bravery lead her on a remarkable adventure.
So, if you’ve seen this film or would like to learn more, you have come to the right place. For more information, be sure to check out The Secret World of Arrietty’s movie page!
- Japan Release Date: July 17, 2010
- US Release Date: February 17, 2012
- Production Company: Studio Ghibli
- Runtime: Approximately 94 minutes
- Where to Stream: Currently available for streaming on MAX with a subscription.
The Secret World of Arrietty Cast and Characters
Here are the dub actors along with the characters they play in both the UK and US versions of The Secret World of Arrietty:
UK Dub Actors:
- Mirai Shida as Arrietty
- Ryunosuke Kamiki as Sho
- Shinobu Otake as Homily
- Keiko Takeshita as Sadako
- Tatsuya Fujiwara as Pod
- Tomokazu Miura as The Borrower Spiller
- Kirin Kiki as Haru
US Dub Actors:
- Tom Holland as Sho
- Bridgit Mendler as Arrietty
- David Henrie as Shawn
- Carol Burnett as Hara
- Amy Poehler as Homily
- Will Arnett as Pod
- Moises Arias as Spiller
What is a Borrower?
A Borrower is a fictional tiny humanoid creature from Mary Norton’s novel “The Borrowers” and its adaptations. They live secretly within human homes and “borrow” small items for their survival, without being noticed by humans. Borrowers are known for their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to their environment while remaining hidden from larger beings.
The Plot of The Secret World of Arrietty
A young boy named Shō spends time in the summer living with Sadako, his great aunt, at his mother’s family home where he meets a Borrower girl named Arrietty living under the floorboards. Despite her father Pod’s warnings about the dangers of human interaction, Arrietty’s innocent curiosity draws her towards Shō. Throughout the film, Arrietty and Shō become unlikely friends.
However, their newfound bond faces a threat when Haru, the housemaid, stumbles upon evidence of the Borrowers’ existence. Haru relentlessly searches to find the borrower’s “nest” and capture the Borrowers. This pursuit is the central conflict of the film. With Haru’s determination mounting, Shō bravely intervenes, realizing the gravity of the situation facing Arrietty and her family.
As the story unfolds, Haru emerges as the primary antagonist, embodying the human world’s ignorance and intolerance towards the Borrowers’ existence.
Despite the looming threat posed by Haru, interactions between Shō and Arriety share each other’s motivations and hardships. Arrietty is living a secret life to protect herself and her family, and Shō is going through the hardship of preparing for heart surgery.
In these moments, each character shows empathy for each other, which strengthens their bonds.
Eventually, Haru manages to catch Arretty’s mother by grabbing her out of her tiny kitchen and keeping her in a jar in the pantry.
Once Arrietty realizes that her mother has been captured, she goes to Shō for assistance, who eagerly agrees to help Arretty find her mother.
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Checkout related articles! The following articles are based on other Studio Ghibli films.
The Art and Animation of the Secret World of Arrietty
The film begins with a view of the lush Japanese countryside with blue skies, fluffy clouds, and streaming light through the trees. This style of animation is characteristic of Studio Ghibli movies. Whenever I sit down to watch a Studio Ghibli movie, I appreciate this signature aesthetic, showing Japan’s natural beauty.
The art style and animation of The Secret World of Arrietty draws inspiration from various sources, including the source material, the 1952 novel “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton.
Additionally, the film’s visual style was influenced by the longstanding tradition of Studio Ghibli’s animation techniques, which prioritize intricate detail and rich colors.
Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, under the guidance of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, aimed to capture the essence of Norton’s beloved story while infusing it with the studio’s signature aesthetic.
The lush, hand-drawn animation brings to life the miniature world of the Borrowers with great attention to detail. For instance, every blade of grass and drop of water is illustrated in magnificent detail. The Arrietty house is also visually appealing, with the mini kitchen as the main feature.
I particularly loved watching the scenes of Arrietty’s first “Borrowing” where she and her father go out into the house to borrow a sugar cube. These scenes make the simplest of tasks look arduous, as Arriety and her father use pulley systems to climb up and down furniture. In these scenes, we get a glimpse into the perspective of a Borrower living in a human world.
This perspective is what makes The Secret World of Arrietty so unique.
My Take on Arrietty’s Secret World
Beyond the visuals, the film delves into themes such as friendship and courage. One prominent theme discussed in the film was brought about by Arrietty’s father. He explained that borrowers don’t steal but simply take only what they need to survive.
However, Haru does not think of them that way, she thinks of the borrowers as thieves. On the contrary, the borrowers are peaceful beings.
The next main themes of the film is acceptance and understanding. Both Arrietty and Shō learn to accept and understand each other despite their differences. Through their interactions, they challenge preconceived notions and stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of empathy and open-mindedness.
Lastly, The film portrays a deep connection between the Borrowers and nature. They depend on the natural world for survival and see themselves as a part of it. The clash between human civilization and the natural world is also explored through Sho’s relationship with the house and its surroundings.
My Favorite Scene
My favorite scene would have to be when Shō gets to see Arrietty for the first time while he is lying in the prairie outside the house. Arrietty explains that they will have to move now since they have been seen.
She goes on to explain what a borrower is and that they only take what “beings” won’t miss when it’s gone like soap, cookies, and sugar. They take these things to survive. I also love how the Borrowers call the human Being “Human Beans.” This adds a bit of charm to their characters.
Shō then reveals that he has a heart condition that he has had from birth. He will have surgery in a couple of days, and the operation may not have a high chance of success.
This scene shows that both Arrietty and Shō have unique challenges that they need to overcome. Throughout the film, they form a friendship and face their hardships together, showing resilience and the power of friendship during hard times.
Recommendation
If you’re looking for a charming and heartwarming animated film, I highly recommend checking out The Secret World of Arrietty. I will warn you that this film is slower-paced. So, I would not consider watching this film if you are in the mood for an action-packed adventure.
However, if you are in the mood for an easy-going film about a tiny girl who lives with her family under the floors of a human house, then this film is the right one for you!
If you have already seen The Secret World of Arrietty, let me know in the comments below. Did you enjoyed it? Do you have a favorite character or scene?
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As a movie lover, especially classic 2D animation, I launched this blog as a guide to keep fellow enthusiasts updated on the latest news and information about films and shows. Through Movie Prairie, I strive to share my insights and recommendations, inviting you to explore and appreciate the magic of movies just as much as I do. Join me on this as we delve into the captivating world of film together.
