The Boy and the Heron

God bless Hayao Miyazaki. The 82-year-old animator has “retired” several times but continues to make films nonetheless. It happened after 1997’s Princess Mononoke and again following the release of Spirited Away in 2001. He seemed serious in 2013 after the release of The Wind Rises, his last feature. Then came The Boy and the Heron. I’m glad he keeps returning.

This coming-of-age tale concerns a 12-year-old boy named Mahito (Luca Padovan). It’s 1943, and World War II rages in the background. His mother, Hisako, is tragically killed in a Tokyo hospital fire. His father, Shoichi (Christian Bale), subsequently marries his late wife’s younger sister, Natsuko (Gemma Chan). They relocate to her estate in the countryside, attended by seven elderly maids. Despite Natsuko’s sincere motherly attention, Mahito remains suspicious of her. Meanwhile, a peculiar but persistent grey heron (Robert Pattinson) leads Mahito to an isolated tower designed by Natsuko’s eccentric granduncle (Mark Hamill).

Hayao Miyazaki has fashioned an emotionally compelling semi-autobiographical fantasy. He draws on the profoundly intimate experiences of his own life and merges the social relationships of his family and friends. The young Mahito is a complex individual tormented by inner conflicts and insecurities. The central character may not be the most likable protagonist. However, his flaws make the character more vulnerable and endearing. I was invested in his odyssey of personal discovery. The fanciful elements are vividly captivating and imaginative. The added bits of comedy also brightened the heavier aspects of the story. A group of anthropomorphic man-eating parakeets led by their king (Dave Bautista) is a highlight.

There are two versions in theaters. I saw the English dub, which allowed me to focus more on the visual beauty of the scene. Some purists will insist on hearing the Japanese language with English subtitles. That version is available as well. Studio Ghibli is an animation powerhouse with the talent and money to ensure an English dub is well done. Robert Pattinson, voicing the Grey Heron, is particularly noteworthy. If you weren’t told, there is no way you would have ever guessed.

Anime often conveys a heightened sense of reality. The style can be less accessible because it isn’t constrained by traditional plot developments. The productions will likely emphasize fantastical phenomena with no substantive basis in fact. I often have trouble wrapping my head around the wildly outlandish situations. I didn’t have that problem here. The Boy and the Heron is deeply informed by actual events in Hayao Miyazaki’s life. That emotional connection comes through. This ranks among the director’s very best.

12-12-23