The Secret World of Arrietty

Set in rural Japan, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, The Secret World of Arrietty transports viewers to a whimsical and enchanting world. The story revolves around 14-year-old Arrietty, a tiny, ethereal girl, and her family - the Clocks, who live a serene existence, undetected by the humans who inhabit the same household. Arrietty's world revolves around the intricate, almost magical, art of "borrowing," a delicate process of taking and repaying small items from the household's inhabitants, reusing them for her family's needs. The Clocks live in a beautiful wooden home, masterfully constructed from their borrowings, which become the site of their secret life. Arrietty, being the breadwinner of the Clock family, takes immense pride in her borrowing skills and strives for perfection, often borrowing items essential for her family's well-being, such as needles for her mother's sewing or scissors for her father's carpentry. Her family, consisting of her father, Pod, her mother, Pod's wife (also named Pod, which is used for her and her husband) sister, Homily, her sister Haru, as well as a grandmother, have made a home inside walls and the underbelly of the household. Arrietty's life as a borrowed-goods collector changes when she encounters a young human boy named Sho. Sho, who is struggling with illness, lives with his uncle, an elderly, kind-hearted man named Hara, in the house. Sho is constantly losing his battle against the germs that invade his frail body. Life becomes complicated for the Clocks, particularly for Arrietty, when Sho stumbles upon her, her family's home, and the delicate world they inhabit. Initially, Sho discovers Arrietty while the little girl is out on a borrowing expedition in his bedroom. Sensing danger, Arrietty manages to free herself and leave a small token of apology for Sho, inadvertently starting a bond between them. As Sho frequently visits Arrietty's tiny home, hiding inside walls and under floors, their bond deepens. Despite being at odds with his status as the Clock's bane, Arrietty feels drawn to Sho's generosity of spirit and honesty, transforming her perspective on humans. However, her family disagrees with Sho's growing presence and requests she keeps distance from him. Tensions peak as Sho becomes accustomed to the clock family's presence and the boundaries of the invisible world blur further. A turning point occurs when Haru Clock, Pod's elderly sister, goes missing, pushing the family into despair and desperation. Panicked, the Clocks rely on Sho to help them locate the missing Haru. Devoting himself to helping Arrietty's family, despite his growing closeness to the strange new world, Sho uncovers secrets to uncover Haru. They trace her to an abandoned attic of their home. Later they share a long and much-overdue confession relating their experiences. Breaking the fourth wall of traditional relationships between the Clock family and the humans who live around them, their deep connection prompts introspection about their roles in this very unique world. Through Arrietty's poignant relationship with Sho, audiences become immersed in the story's themes, reflecting the vulnerability and humanity within and around our seemingly artificial constructs. By subtly highlighting and subverting societal expectations, The Secret World of Arrietty presents itself as a deeply touching, emotionally-charged, animated piece of cinematic magic.