The garden of words
My very first step into Makota Shinkai's journey as a director. I liked this film -I did- the music is incredibly calming and peaceful, combine this with the animation and supernatural talent used to create the rain and you have an incredible atmosphere to work with that's upheld throughout the film, a pure state of tranquillity. I am however, generally underwhelmed by the storytelling aspect. The larger part of Takao and Yukari's relationship develops in a voiceless but beautiful montage, this film generally requires you to partially infer, but largely experience it for yourself rather than being told. I don't have a problem with this, in fact I usually prefer this because it allows for a subtle build-up of undertones that's more climactic and impactful than simply being told what we need to know.
I believe however this film is too short for this to happen, having more dialogue that pushes the story along would actually be a good thing in this case as it would allow us -me specifically- to have a much stronger emotional attachment to these people. I rarely form attachments to characters so it can be quite difficult to trigger an emotional response from me. There was one section of the film that made me catch my breath however. It was when Takao confessed his feelings for Yukari; this feeling started during her thoughts of how Yukari was just before. Call me ironic or cliché as I'd probably agree with you, but that's how it made me feel.
As I said though, I wanted there to be more in the story itself that made me emotionally invested in these characters, because how is Takao's speech at the end -good dialogue that it was- supposed make me cry, or rattle me to the core as intended, when we barely know anything about Yukari? Or even the full extent of their own relationship? When we haven't seen, been told or experienced for ourselves the number of serious issues Takao speaks of. The only issue of Yukari's that we the audience are aware of aside from the school bullying- is her taste disorder which is never brought up again and has no further relevance, except the fact that it's improved because of her budding feelings for Takao
(most likely). Even the school bullying, as traumatic as it was, isn't relevant to what Takao's speech is about, because supposedly these problem have been present throughout her entire life. Regardless of my complaints I still enjoyed the film and think it deserves to be watched, the at times underwhelming story is made up for with the atmosphere created through music and animation. Don't let my score fool you, because like I said:
This film puts you in a state of tranquillity
