A nearly perfect movie

Rating: 9/10 (11 January 2013)

This is really my daughter's movie, and while she's watched it dozens of times I'm always happy to watch it with her one more time. I've seen many Miyazaki movies, but this is far and away the best. In fact, one of the best movies I've ever seen.
It's hard to explain what makes it so good. Somehow, every scene, every frame of the movie fits perfectly into every other. The story is simple and straightforward, yet dreamy and otherworldly, and at the same time realistic.
Two girls and their dad move into a country house. Mummy is in the hospital. Weird things happen in and around the house, suggesting the presence of supernatural, but benign creatures. The girls squabble, the neighbour boy is shy, Daddy is forgetful, Mommy is loving and remote, neighbour old woman becomes accepted as substitute Granny.
Gradually, tension rises, because mommy is not getting better, and the girls must cope on their own. The older girl has to learn to be a substitute mom, and it's not easy. The younger girl starts acting out, and eventually gets into difficulties. But Totoro knows how to help.
This must be the sort of movie that makes directors cry with frustration. It's so close to perfect, and yet it's impossible to see how they did it. It's simply a great movie, one of the best ever. Literally the sort of thing that makes you smile when you see the cover, even though you've seen the movie dozens of times.
But obviously you can put off the joy of discovering this gem for a while yet. It will wait for you.