"Elegaic and riveting" -- NYTimes review

Rating: 10/10 (8 July 2011)

The plot is based on a popular Japanese semi-autobiographical novel of the same name which the author, Nosaka, wrote to atone for the death of his little sister in circumstances similar to that in the film. It shows the struggles to survive of an orphaned 12 year old boy, Setsuko, and his 4 year old sister, Seita, in the weeks just before and after WW-II when food was scarce.
It's directed by Takahata of Studio Ghibli (after he'd previously collaborated on many films with his more famous colleague, Miyazaki); it's deserving of all the honors it's won--and more, and certainly of much wider viewing and recognition.
It's currently ranked 123 of IMDb's all-time best 250 movies as well as on Roger Ebert's list of "Great Films" and he extols it enthusiastically.
One critic said it's "....about the capacity of the human spirit to love. Watching it feels like a privilege." It has sad moments, true, but IMO more than that, it portrays realistic tenderness and caring between the two children and we become very close to them. As another critic has observed, this animÃ© film is far more emotionally realistic than if filmed with actors. The film's emotional tone and message glowed within me for hours after.
This is NOT a film for most young children; it carries a Parental Guide Advisory.
It's a truly great film, a real treat to have seen.