Genuinely haunting, this is the saddest movie I've ever seen in my life

Rating: 10/10 (18 August 2011)

Grave of the Fireflies is a transcendental film. I say so because it moves beyond the realm of normal animation and becomes something so touching and emotional that your heart aches at the end of it. Many people call it one of the most depressing movies they have ever seen and I concur. It is an animation film yes but it has touched me more deeply than other movie I've ever seen. And cartoons are supposed to be fun, right?
It is made by the artists at Studio Ghibli, unofficially called the 'Pixar' of Japan; the same production house responsible for such great masterpieces as Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro amongst many others. But this is totally different from their usual films. It is the most beautiful and important film that Studio Ghibli has ever made and that is saying something.
The story of the film is set in the mid 1940s Japan which was being constantly bombarded by the American fighters. There is apathy and tragedy everywhere. This movie is a about a 12 year boy Seita and his 5 year old sister Setsuko trying to survive in world alone. After their home is destroyed by the bombarding, they are forced to live with their aunt who treats them as a burden. Unable to stand it, they move out and find an empty cave and decide to stay there.
The heart of the movie is Setsuko. Even though the main character of the story is Seita and we see everything from his point of view, it is for Setsuko that we care for the most. Her innocence, fragility, loneliness and misery is heartbreaking. When Seita goes out to get food and other materials for their living, Setsuko waits for him, playing by herself and her shadow all day. The food they get is not enough but they sustain. Seita is devoted to his sister and tries to do his best to find food for her. He risks his life by going into the houses during the air raids simply because he can find food and other materials to barter. Stealing is not good, we know, but these characters have no other choice. At night they play with the fireflies and bring some to lighten their dark cave, just as such tender moments bring a glimmer of happiness in their dark lives.
The final 20 minutes are so heartbreaking that I was crying my eyes out in the end. Now, I usually shed a tear or two for the genuinely emotional moments in the movies such as the recent works or Pixar. But this was different, I was not crying but rather sobbing by the end. This movie struck something deep in me.
Grave of the Fireflies resembles Schindler's List in many ways. Both have the primary theme of war. However, even though war is the background of both stories, it is not the main focus. The main focus is the innocents who are caught in the war and what they go through. Homes and families are destroyed and people are scarred for life. This movie shows that war is not the answer to the problems of the society but rather the biggest failure of the society. We feel that when we see this movie. We feel for Seita who is suddenly forced to become an adult and we feel nothing but pity and genuine affection for the little Setsuko who is confused by what is happening around her.
I mentioned haunting in my title for this and I must say that while there isn't anything scary in this film, it's theme is definitely haunting and won't leave you long after to finish watching this film. Even the most hardhearted soul will feel their eyes moisten by the end of this film. I've only seen it once but I don't think I can ever muster enough courage to watch it again. However, I would recommend this movie to everyone, child or adult to watch this movie at least once in their lifetime.
I find it difficult to put this movie in any particular category; while it is "Animation", it is completely different from any animation movie you've ever seen; it's main theme is "War" but that is not it's main focus. I would rather add this movie to a personal category that I've created just for this movie only "The best movie that I never want to see again". It is beautiful and painful at the same time. Just writing this review made my eyes well up. This is the saddest movie I've ever seen in my life.