From Up On Poppy Hill represents a passing of the guard of sorts for Studio Ghibli. While Miyazaki is still producing films, other talented storytellers are beginning to step up to ensure the company keeps turning out quality work. One such talent is Miyazaki’s own son, Goro, who directed From Up On Poppy Hill based on a screenplay co-written by his father.
Compared to other Studio Ghibli productions, From Up On Poppy Hill is a bit different. The plot doesn’t necessarily follow a "traditional" plotline, instead presenting what amounts to a series of daily events that end up adding up to something much larger by the film’s end. It is rewarding, though only if you’re willing to follow along.
Set in 1963, the main plot follows the daily life of Umi (Sarah Bolger), who lives in a boarding house owned by her grandmother (Gillian Anderson). Umi’s normal routine is disrupted when she meets Shun (Aton Yelchin), who decides to jump off a building to draw attention to the demolition of the Latin Quarter. Umi wants nothing to do with Shun, but is forced to venture into the Latin Quarter when her sister decides to track him down for an autograph.
A bulk of the film follows the burgeoning friendship/ romance between Umi and Shun, which is about as much of a plotline as From Up On Poppy Hill offers viewers. There’s a definite story here, though it is more about charting the emotional beats rather than moving from one plot point to the next. There are definite story moments, though these serve as a loose skeletal structure. The storytelling mechanics are a bit slow, so viewers who prefer a faster pace will have a hard time making it to the end, though the resolution is rewarding for those who see it through.
From Up On Poppy Hill is an absolute stunner. The Blu-ray transfer looks amazing. Everything has a real painterly look topped off with vibrant colors that stand out, but never overwhelm. Despite the "smudged" look, backgrounds are still full of tiny details the help set it as a place, not just a background.
Long time readers might remember I have a weird obsession with storyboards, so the Storyboard feature – presenting the ENTIRE movie in storyboard format – was easily one of my favorites on the disc. Also included is a nearly half-hour travelogue of the Yokohama area, which serves as the film’s setting. Everything from the area’s unique history to general information about the area’s current state is included. This is best paired with a short interview with director Goro Miyazaki. He covers a lot about the film’s time period and influences on the film, as well as it’s manga roots.
Another unique feature is a press conference announcing the theme song for the film’s Japanese release. I don’t recall ever seeing a press conference of any sort included as a extra, but it really got me thinking about how awesome it would be if other movies included extras such as its Comic-Con Panel as bonus. A music video is also included.
Another surprising feature is Hayao Miyazaki’s speech to studio staff after a screening. Except for Waking Sleeping Beauty, which included a speech given after a screening of The Lion King, I never seen something like this included in a home release of a film.
Finally, the entire package is capped off with a series of interviews with the English voice cast. This is a fun, yet not particularly noteworthy, watch.
As a bonus, the Blu-ray version ships with a small book featuring Hayao Miyazaki's original treatment for From Up On Poppy Hill (titled "A Hill With A Harbor View") and a rather inspirational letter from Goro Miyazaki. Similar to the staff presentations, these extras are rarities and something fans will definitely want to check out.
From Up On Poppy Hill is a slow burn of a story, but still an entertaining watch. It may not carry the same recognition as other Studio Ghibli films, but is in no way a "lesser" film.
