Call it a modern-day, anime ‘Beauty and the Beast’ if you’d like, but this Mamoru Hosada-directed gem plays with the emotional heft (and stunning visuals) of something straight out of Studio Ghibli. It’s a stunning bit of brilliance from the mind of the ‘Mirai’ writer-director and packs far more heartwrenching drama than any animated film has a right to. It’s not for everyone, obviously, but if you’re a fan of Miyazaki’s style—run, don’t walk.
4/5 stars