Review of Whisper of the Heart

This is one of those rarer Ghibli films where you finally have a satisfying romance plot. None of that "will they or won't they" schpiel that often paints the MCs as either platonic friends or ambiguously hinted as romantic (and the MC isn't an old grandma). Another thing I like about this movie is how it portrays lower-class poverty without actually focusing on the poverty. From the tiny apartment to Shizuku's Mom, and to the details about Shiho's job, the animators really flesh out the reality of living as a low-income earner in 1996 Japan. However, the lifestyle of Shizuku's family isn't the main focushere. The film teaches us the importance of following your dreams no matter how unrealistic they may seem. It teaches you the value of hard work and perserverance, and that there aren't any shortcuts to reach the finish line. For some reason, this film already feels nostalgic even if it's the first time you saw it. Despite being 2-hours long, you can't help but get sucked into the plot until you realize the end-credits are already there. It's just a very heartwarming coming-of-age romance story that anyone can relate to, no matter what generation you grew up in.