Arrietty

 This is a movie I grew up watching. Arrietty was that movie that was just thrown on during after school care or on default. I never really noted what the plot was, although I watched it at least once a month growing up. Arrietty is a story about a miniature sized girl who lives under this human families house, one day she is caught stealing food from the family by Sho, a 12-year boy with a heart condition and it is the start of a close relationship between the two. Arrietty is a careful balance of hopelessness and hopefulness,  and showcases the idea of death and disease. There is a careful message crafted within the story that reflects the struggle of reality, that nothing lasts forever, and we all lose friendships because we can't expect things to always go our way. 

Arrietty consists of really lovable and well likable characters, and Yonebayashi does an amazing job at moving the audience to connect with his storyline. I would also like to mention how well they do world building to where it seems extremely seamless and the audience doesn't think twice or mull over it. The film is less of an action packed movie like Spirited Away, but rather a calm and relaxing movie to watch when its raining. I rate this movie an 8/10.