The Wind Rises Review
To call a movie released in May "film of the year" is a somewhat risky move. However, given that The Wind Rises currently sits as my favourite movie of the ten-nies (?), it's a fair assumption. Make no mistake, The Wind Rises is a masterpiece. A movie that comes along once every five years (or so) that changes the way we look at movies and, well, life in general. It takes a lot to achieve that level of power and majesty. As it turns out, it takes Hayao Miyazaki...
The Wind Rises is a highly fictionalised tribute to the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Miyazaki also draws heavily from the works of Tatsuo Hori, whose prose inspired the title and serves as a prelude to the story. Along the way, Jiro experiences the Kanto earthquake, economic depression, the tuberculosis epidemic, the breakout of WW2 and the tragic reality of first love. So, no lovable woodland creatures this time...
The first thing I must mention is that fans of Miyazaki's earlier work may be put off by the serious, meditative tone he brings to his final film. When soot gremlins hit the fan, they hit it hard. Thankfully, Miyazaki has lost none of the awe and wonderment that makes his work stand out. He is perhaps the only director alive today who could make you delight in the curvature of a fish bone or emotionally invest in a vehicle (take note Cars, just don't come back).
This sense of majesty is mirrored in Joe Hisaishi truly breathtaking score. Hisaishi perfectly captures Jiro's childlike energy, as well as complementing the dramatic moments with virtuoso skill. His score, along with Miyazaki's ever-stunning imagery create a superb blend of solemnity and playfulness.
The voice cast, too, is extremely impressive. In the English dub, Joseph Gordon-Levitt provides his usual blend of likability and vulnerability that makes him the perfect star. Emily Blunt, as Jiro's lover Nahoko, makes a compelling case that Edge of Tomorrow may not, you know, suck. Stanley Tucci is on top form as the deliciously flamboyant Caproni, the Italian engineer who corresponds with Jiro through a series of wonderously realised dream sequences. Martin Short is genuinely hilarious as comic-relief Kurokawa, Jiro's grumpy and overbearing boss; who happens to be a dwarf. Special mention must go to Werner Herzog as Castorp, whose soothing tones and welcoming voice are sure to make him a fan-favourite.
Luckily, all are dealt a pack of aces in Miyazaki's most realistic and sombre screenplay to date. Jiro, for instance, isn't your typical hero. He isn't particularly charismatic or even special, other than his naive and uncynical worldview. He's simply a good man, trying to do the right thing. The supporting players are a richly-drawn and memorable gathering of well rounded, deeply human individuals. Even for a movie filled with daydreams and pure happen chance, The Wind Rises is the most natural and emotionally resonant animated movie I've ever seen.
A lot has been made about the supposed politics behind the movie, with some claiming Miyazaki glorifies the Japanese military. This is, for lack of a better term, utter bollocks. The film isn't about World War II, or even Jiro's inventions. It is the tale of one man's dream and the growth he must go through to achieve it. It is an ode to creativity, the rush of invention and the thrill of seeing your creations take shape. Caproni even says: "Airplanes are not tools for war. They're not for making money. Airplanes are beautiful dreams. Engineers turn dreams into reality" Saying this movie is about World War II is like saying 2001 is about a giant fetus floating in space.
The Wind Rises is also the director's most personal film to date. There does seem to be a autobiographical element, with Caproni telling Jiro before his retirement "Artists are only creative for 10 years" If you know the background of the production, this line registers as an interesting nod. Miyazaki at first didn't want to make an 11th feature, planning to create a manga version of The Wind Rises. It took producer Toshio Suzuki to convince him to make it into the film we have now. Perhaps Miyazaki is saying filmmakers are only creative for 10 movies? If so, he couldn' be more wrong...
The Wind Rises is an indisputable masterpiece, a heartbreaking tale of the cost of creativity. It's a movie you'll walk out of wanting to do something, even if that something is sitting on your arse and writing a review of it. A beautiful, philosophical movie that truly transcends its format, becoming something else entirely: art. If this is to be Hayao Miyazaki's final film, it is the perfect swansong to a perfect director...
Five Word Verdict: A powerful, essential modern masterpiece
Score: 5/5
Awesome bit of writing. I still don't get how you do it.
ReplyDeleteI must see this this film. I overlooked that Hayao Miyazaki was the director (73 and still going? The man's a true artist!) and now I'm totally psyched to see it.
Funny how when a Japanese film receives such high praise it actually lives up to the hype - and even if it doesn't, it always makes for a very pleasant viewing (if only for visuals!) - yet in hollywood, pretty much every new release is ruined by hype.
But again, awesome review. I'd almost forgotten how good they were... almost. ;)
Cheers man. I've also noticed that most foreign films (especially Japanese flick) live up to the hype, where as most Western flicks crumple under it. Look at Amelie, it's got 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and totally deserves it. The you have a movie like The Dark Knight Rises (also on 88%), a decent film spoiled my months of anticipation and overly generous reviews.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks as ever for your support, it's greatly appreciated :)