The Wind Rises (2013)
Fight, flight or love?
Presentation:
If you were expecting Studio Ghibli fantasy, this is not quite it. This is more of a biography and you could even consider it an engineering film. However the magic is not gone. This was to be Miyazaki’s last film, up until he made several films after. As it was intended to be his last film, it would make sense as it has some genuinely beautiful imagery on par with Makoto Shinkai’s while retaining the Ghibli look. The film has abundant surreal dream sequences with a striking choice to use voices for sound effects, a genius way to make the audio design more subjective, though it is comical at times. It’s actually quite a serious drama at heart. It’s for mature audiences, showing that Miyazaki films have never been just for kids, he simply opted for restraint within his imaginary canvas. The animation is lifelike and fluid while also being highly evocative. Despite only having a diary of the engineer to work with, the film manages to paint intimate moments that make you question whose life it is you’re really watching. Is it Miyazaki’s or Jiro’s? The film is also more overtly political than his other works, repainting Japan’s war in a nuanced and respectful way. As there is high cultural value with characters from several countries, the dub captures something the original cast doesn’t.
Story:
The film depicts the art of aircraft design despite being purposed for war. A little bit of an Oppenheimer plot, though focusing on the aspirational aspects and omitting the guilt. In the end it’s apparent that Jiro’s wife dies, the whole romance is crammed in but mostly works. Her tuberculosis makes for a dramatic and poignant resolution, but it’s fake. The real Jiro has many children in fact, the illness and burning fires reference Miyazaki’s early war ravaged days with his sick mother.
Conclusion:
This is probably the only animated film I’ve watched and preferred the English dub for. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Emily Blunt whisper their way into our hearts in probably one of the most gentle romances on screen. I don’t think the film is morally revisionist nor does it give you anything to complain about other than a few dry moments. But I think the English performances do fill the dryness better and the only few times I’ll recommend the English dub. I enjoyed this film and it spoke to me, but if you like Ghibli films the material is quite different than usual. At a certain point you forget it is animation and you may wonder how well it would stand as a live action film. There certainly are many references to classic cinema and many creative liberties from the real story. I preferred this over The Boy and the Heron. Surprisingly well executed for what it is.
Recommendations
Stepping stone for Studio Ghibli’s greatness.