Favorite films
Don’t forget to select your favorite films!
Don’t forget to select your favorite films!
Opinions about this are totally split. Some think the film contains some kind of esoteric genius while others are mystified why this film was even made. For sure, on the surface, Ocean Waves is a drawn-out, unconvincing love story between two (three?) rather bland and unlikeable characters.
Most people who get this far into the Ghibli catalogue have already primed themselves for charmingly marketable woodland sprites and the magical worlds of Miyazaki's childlike imagination. It's no surprise that Ocean Waves…
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
Masterpiece. The film is a brutal attack on the viewers' prejudices. Kore-eda uses his well-honed skills as a filmmaker to draw you in, give you time to settle into your judgements, and then you are punished for it, again and again. It's emotionally draining and you deserve it, monster.
Probably Miyazaki's most enigmatic Ghibli film and it was clearly intended this way. I suggest you go into this film with a blank mind and simply let Miyazaki show you his world one last time.