This is my second time seeing this movie, but it wasn’t until I saw this movie again when I was able to appreciate it. Upon first viewing I thought this film was boring, mainly because I expected something much more fast paced and exciting. But this was slow and heartfelt, and its core is really the story of a young japanese boy who dreamt of designing the greatest war planes that man has ever seen. Jiro is really a simple man, but what makes him stand out is his great love for aircraft. His dedication to his inventions combined with the love from his ill-fated fiance Nahoko made a beautiful contrast to the overarching story. It was both a beautiful and sad feeling to watch their love story play out. If only Nahoko lived a little bit longer to see Jiro’s airplane. Their relationship from young people to adulthood was so true and pure in substance.
The voice actors were great in their roles. Joseph Levitt was great as Jiro. His voice is calm yet steady. But you can feel when his emotions come through, whether he’s getting lost in his imagination or he’s defending his unwavering feelings for Nahoko. Even from the interviews, Joseph has happily expressed his passion for Hayao Miyazaki’s films and how he makes animation special. Miyazaki’s films are truly an experience. Emily Blunt was good as Nahoko. She spoke in a very soft-spoken tone that almost came off as dreamlike. She didn’t show up much in the film, but when she did show up, you were caught up in her, almost like how Jiro was caught up in her.
Overall, this is a simple story, but it feels sincere. Anyone can relate to having big dreams and wanting to hold on to your dearest moments before they fade into a distant memory. If anything, this film allows you to enjoy the moment that you’re in and appreciate the beauty around you, even if life circumstances point to the negativity of trials. This still isn't my favorite Studio Ghibli movie, but after a second viewing, I’ve come to appreciate the story and the little things in-between. 8/10.