Whisper of the Heart (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Description

WHISPER OF THE HEART inspires like never before in Blu-
ray! A new digital master reveals the true brilliance of this heartwarming
coming-of-age classic from Studio Ghibli, the studio that brought you PONYO
and the Academy Award(R)-winning SPIRITED AWAY (Best Animated Feature Film,
2002). A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a quiet
schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Challenged by Seiji, a boy
determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat
figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on
curious adventures beyond the boundaries of her imagination. Now in Blu-ray
High Definition for the first time ever, this beautiful tale based on the
screenplay from legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze
families! Based on a manga by Aoi Hiiragi, the gentle coming of age
story Whisper of the Heart (1995) was scripted and storyboarded by Hayao
Miyazaki, and directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo. Shizuku Tsukishima is an
absent-minded, insecure junior high school student who reads book after book
of fairy tales, helps her friends, and does most of her chores, but remains
dissatisfied. When she encounters a wonderfully supercilious cat on the train,
she follows him and meets Seiji Amasawa, a student in her class who hopes to
become a violin maker. Seiji’s commitment to his dream helps Shizuku find her
voice, literally and figuratively: she realizes she wants to become a writer.
A statue of a cat in the antique store of Seiji’s kindly grandfather inspires
her first story, “Whisper of the Heart.” Shizuku and Seiji exhibit believable
strengths and flaws: their warm humanity contrasts markedly with the shabby
superficiality of the characters in many recent American animated films. The
lively performances of Brittany Snow and David Gallagher transcend the
geographic limits of the story to make Shizuku and Seiji the kids the viewer
wishes lived next door. Miyazaki’s script suggests that magic can exist, even
in everyday Tokyo. Whisper of the Heart was the only film Yoshifumi Kondo
directed, but its understated charm stands as a monument to his talent. (Rated
G, suitable for ages 10 and older: tobacco use) — Charles Solomon

Features:

Product Details:

• Genre: Action & Adventure
• Format: Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Blu-ray, Animated, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Contributor: Yoshifumi Kondo, Screenplay And Storyboard By Hayao Miyazaki
• Language: English, Japanese
• Runtime: 1 hour and 59 minutes
• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ G (General Audience)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.2 Ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 25137231
• Director ‏ : ‎ Yoshifumi Kondo
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Blu-ray, Animated, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 59 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ May 22, 2012
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, French