Violet Evergarden: An Exquisite Ode to Love, Loss, and the Power of Letters
“Violet Evergarden” stands as a testament to the enduring power of human connection, captivating audiences with its poignant narrative and breathtaking visuals. The film serves as a continuation of the original anime series, enriching the established lore and delving deeper into the emotional landscape of its characters. To fully grasp the nuances and emotional weight of the movie, prior familiarity with the anime is highly recommended, allowing viewers to appreciate the evolution of Violet’s character and the world she inhabits.
The very title, “Violet Evergarden,” a direct translation of the protagonist’s name, immediately signals a deeply personal and introspective journey, one that explores themes of identity, purpose, and the search for meaning in a world marked by both beauty and profound loss.
From Learning to Love to Spreading Its Embrace
While the anime series centers around Violet’s transformative journey of “learning about love,” the movie expands upon this foundation, exploring the broader and equally profound theme of “spreading love” and its myriad forms. It examines how love can heal, connect, and transcend the boundaries of time and circumstance.
The film opens with a heartbreakingly relatable scene: a young girl, visibly upset as her mother prepares to leave her grandmother’s wake for work. Despite understanding her mother’s responsibilities, the girl’s grief manifests as anger, causing her to lash out with hurtful words. This scene immediately establishes the film’s exploration of complex human emotions and the difficulty of expressing them, particularly in times of vulnerability.
Similarly, a young boy, rendered fragile by illness and confined to his sickbed, isolates himself from his friends and expresses unkindness towards his family. His actions stem from a fear of being remembered as weak and frail, a desire to protect his loved ones from the pain of his impending departure.
These poignant scenarios serve as powerful reminders of a universal truth: appearances can often be deceiving, masking deeper, more intricate emotional realities. Many individuals struggle to articulate their genuine feelings, especially to those they hold dearest. We often keep feelings bottled up through fear, lack of understanding, or simply not having the opportunity to connect.
Violet’s Calling: Bridging Hearts Through Letters
Violet’s unique profession as an Auto Memory Doll, a dedicated ghostwriter crafting heartfelt letters for others, is a central element of the film’s appeal. Her innate ability to empathize profoundly with her clients, coupled with her growing understanding of human nature, enables her to anticipate their unspoken needs and articulate the complex emotions they struggle to express.
Often, her role extends beyond simply writing letters; she finds herself delivering these messages of love and regret to loved ones after the client has passed away, underscoring the importance of communication and connection in life and death. This poignant aspect of the film resonated deeply for several reasons:
- The Profound Impact of Psychology: Violet’s intuitive understanding of psychology is truly remarkable, empowering her to craft letters that resonate deeply with their intended recipients. Psychology serves as an invaluable tool for effective communication, fostering empathy, preventing misunderstandings, and nurturing stronger relationships.
- Crafting Narratives That Resonate: For writers and storytellers, a solid understanding of psychology is paramount for creating narratives that are both compelling and emotionally resonant, capable of touching the hearts and minds of audiences.
- The Urgency of Present-Moment Expression: Why postpone expressing our genuine feelings to those we cherish until it’s too late? The young girl from the opening scene, deeply moved by Violet’s letter to her grandmother, realizes the critical importance of expressing her emotions in the present and subsequently writes a heartfelt letter to her own mother.
Violet’s Metamorphosis: From Soldier to Advocate of Love
As veterans of the anime series will recall, Violet began her journey as an emotionless soldier, capable only of writing cold, impersonal reports. It was through her profound encounters with Major Gilbert Bougainvillea and her wise mentor, Claudia Hodgins, that she began to understand the true meaning of love, compassion, and human connection. Following the war, she embarks on a new path, becoming a renowned Auto Memory Doll, writing letters for people from all walks of life, even royalty.
Initially lacking in refined writing skills, Violet diligently honed her craft through extensive reading, immersing herself in countless stories, and carefully listening to the experiences of others. Over time, she developed the ability to write letters that touched the hearts of many, bridging divides and fostering understanding.
Even if the niche profession of Auto Memory Doll were to fade away in a more modern context, Violet’s core skills – her empathy, her understanding of human emotions, and her ability to articulate complex feelings – would undoubtedly allow her to adapt and thrive in various other roles, perhaps as a skilled copywriter, a captivating storyteller, or a compassionate counselor.
Beyond Words: The Enduring Legacy of Letters
Words are not the sole means of emotional expression, yet letters, in their tangible form, hold a timeless power to convey profound feelings and sincere sentiments. As the film elegantly illustrates, “Feelings that cannot be expressed in words can be conveyed through letters. I want to convey my true feelings directly, because the people I care about only exist in the present moment.” The sentiment to express love when you can is a constant drum beating throughout the story.
Major Gilbert’s Burden and Sacrifice
Major Gilbert Bougainvillea is portrayed as a character defined by his kindness and compassion, yet also burdened by a profound sense of guilt. He grapples with the belief that he was wrong to involve Violet in the war, seeing it as the cause of her losing her arms and believing her life would have been better without his influence.
However, Violet’s perspective offers a counterpoint, positing that it was through knowing the Major that she truly learned the meaning of love. She views him as her guiding light, igniting her passion for life and setting her on a path of self-discovery. The film gently reminds us that we shouldn’t be overly harsh on ourselves, as our personal perceptions may not always align with the objective truth.
Fleeting Moments of Lightness and Sentiment
Amidst the film’s exploration of profound themes, there are also moments of levity and sheer sweetness. I found the young boy’s unique description of his newborn brother – “like a warm, soft bread” – particularly amusing, a testament to the film’s ability to blend weighty matters with endearing observations.
The film culminates in a satisfying and heartwarming ending, leaving the audience with a sense of hope and resolution. The animation is visually stunning, with almost every frame resembling a meticulously crafted photograph, a treat to the senses. The musical score is equally captivating, further elevating the emotional impact of the narrative, and notably features an ending theme reminiscent of the beloved film “Your Name,” adding another layer of appreciation for anime fans.