GKIDS Retrospective: ‘A Letter to Momo'

We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

A Letter to Momo (2011): Hiroyuki Okiura, director

What’s it about?

Eleven-year-old Momo moves from Tokyo to a small, rural island town with her mother after the unexpected death of her father. The last time Momo saw her father, they had a fight, so she’s naturally filled with guilt and regret. And after his death, she discovered a piece of paper in his office with just the words “Dear Momo” written on it. What was he going to write? What did he want to tell her?

After they reach the island and begin to settle in, Momo discovers she’s the only person who’s able to see three yokai (demons, or “goblins” as the movie translates it) living in her house. Are they there to protect her? Or just cause mayhem and destruction? Because they excel at the latter.

The film follows Momo as she tries to fit in with a new group of friends, figure out why she can see the three spirits (and what they want), and keep her little family from falling apart even more.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

This is a Japanese film deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions (and supernatural beliefs) of the country’s rural islands. Though the film centers on Momo’s grief, it’s also a phenomenal slice-of-life look at what it’s like to be a kid in the countryside.

There’s an English dub for the film if you positively can’t read subtitles for an entire film, but I do highly recommend the original language.

Will my kids like it? Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Director Hiroyuki Okiura has created a movie that looks and feels like a film straight out of the Studio Ghibli playbook. If you (or your kids) have been pining for a Ghibli-esque film or feeling withdrawal in the void Ghibli has left behind, A Letter to Momo will scratch the same itch and leave you incredibly satisfied. From its female protagonist to its supernatural elements to its slice-of-life portrayal of a youthful summer, it satisfyingly hits all the same notes.

There’s nothing objectionable for young kids aside from the sometimes creepy yokai – including the smallest one who looks remarkably like Gollum.

Will I like it?

A Letter to Momo was 7 years in the making, and you can absolutely tell it was an intense labor of love. Every scene – every cell – is gorgeous and dripping with artistry. As I said, this is every inch a Ghibli movie… just without Miyazaki’s touch.

Okiura sought to create a film that leaves the audience feeling good, and he more than succeeded. Watch this film and you’re left satiated – totally and completely satisfied. If you’re a fan of beauty and of wonderful things, then you’ll love this movie.

How can I see it?

GKIDS and Cinedigm released a Blu-ray edition of the film with a few special features that seems like it might be hard to find now. Included is a making-of featurette, a few trailers and TV spots, and both Japanese and English audio tracks. The film is also available digitally from most retailers, though it looks like Amazon and Google are English dub only (iTunes appears to have the original Japanese).