ONLY YESTERDAY, 1991
Movie Review

A 27-year-old office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tôkyô.

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REVIEW:

Studio Ghibli, as soon as you read that you probably thought immediately of 'Spirited Away', 'Princess Mononoke' and 'Ponyo', all of which have magic, mystery and buckets of trademark Ghibli style and class. 'Only Yesterday' is a Studio Ghibli title with a big difference, it has a different type of magic and mystery about it which would appeal to an older more mature audience who don't usually watch anime and enjoy films with a more adult tone.

Directed by Isao Takahata who also directed 'My Neighbours the Yamadas', 'Pom Poko' and the haunting 'Grave of the Fireflies'. 'Only Yesterday' is a film about childhood, nostalgia, growing up and difficult decisions adults have to make. The film is originally based on the Manga by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone.

The film is different from usual anime features as the film could have easily been made into a live action film as the tone, story and themes are unusual for an anime, but the direction and writing is that good, that it works even as an anime. The plot is also different from an anime, with no unusual characters, magical being or giant robots, this film is one for mature audiences and can most definitely be appreciated by those unfamiliar with anime.

The plot is actually quite simple, but very effective in drawing you in. The main character is Taeko, a 27 year old woman who has never married and works in an average office job, but decides to vacation on her sisters in laws farm. This is where she meets Toshio and events make her nostalgic and question her choices of lifestyle, love and even her own childhood dreams, best seen when she is in the school play and when she is thinking about the first time she was hit by her father. A simple plot has never been so enjoyable or memorable as it is in 'Only Yesterday' and it is a story which most viewers can relate to from some point in their own lives.

This is a very mature storyline for a Studio Ghibli and is more like 'Grave of the Fireflies' in its tone and seriousness, but at times it is also light hearted, such as the moment when she is on stage as a child and waving goodbye to the birds, or when she finds out for the first time that a boy likes her, moments like this make the viewer slightly nostalgic and reminiscent of their own childhoods and the film constantly allows the viewer to do this and connect with the main character in a way that anime sometimes cannot allow.

The animation itself is the usual high quality you would expect from Studio Ghibli and the acting is great, although for people who are not a fan of subtitles you will be disappointed to know that there is no English dub, so you will have to watch it with subtitles unless you are fluent in Japanese. The soundtrack isn't as catchy as other Ghibli titles, but the end song is the Japanese translation of 'The Rose' and it actually fits in well with the film and if you know the original version you may very well be humming along.

'Only Yesterday' is a great film in its own right and should be watched by older viewers, as they can appreciate the message of the film better then a younger viewer under ten could. For those who wish to see something different in anime or in any film for that matter and if you need cheering up, this is a film that will make you smile and is something original at the same time. 'Only Yesterday' is an joy to watch and one that can be seen again and again no matter how old you are.

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Only Yesterday