Whisper of the Heart (Mimi wo sumaseba) (If You Listen Closely) (1995)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(24,503 ratings)

Written by animation master Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his protégé Yoshifumi Kondo, this film is a simple tale about a young girl who falls in love and learns to believe in herself. Suzuku Tsukishima is nearing the end of her final year of junior high. An avid bookworm, she devours books while… More Written by animation master Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his protégé Yoshifumi Kondo, this film is a simple tale about a young girl who falls in love and learns to believe in herself. Suzuku Tsukishima is nearing the end of her final year of junior high. An avid bookworm, she devours books while quietly dreaming about becoming a writer. Though vivacious and outgoing with her best friend, she withdraws into herself when in the presence of her bossy older sister; her studious father, who is busy researching local history; and her mother, who is absorbed in the college courses she's taking. Then one day, she meets Seiji, a lad who has the ability to both irritate and charm her, often at the same time. He also harbors an unusual ambition: to build violins in Cremona, Italy. Around the same time, she meets a kindly old man who owns an antique shop, whom she later learns is Seiji's grandfather. One item in the store particularly catches her eye -- a strange statue of a cat with glittering eyes. Inspired by Seiji's utter determination to realize his own dream, she writes a story about the feline-shaped sculpture coming to life. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Yoshifumi Kondo
Genres: Drama, Animation, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jan 19, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Mar 7, 2006
Studio: Optimum Releasing

Critic Reviews

Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Sweet, romantic coming-of-age anime with strong role models.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Perhaps the most unadulterated coming-of-age story in Ghibli's canon... a film of truly excellent observation.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Will translate more towards girls than boys in the long run...
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Enchanting.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Shame how John Denver appears at regular intervals to remind us of how peculiar a beast cultural diffusion can be.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Sweet and well-observed, Whisper is about self-discovery and little else
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
I just didn't connect with the characters as I could have
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Will easily capture the hearts of those who are both romantics and animation buffs
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Instead of attempting to show us a fantasy world with their animation, the filmmakers use their medium to accentuate the small details in this one.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dead A

This was a cute movie :)
Dean M

Wonderfully Studio Ghibi of the animated drama story about a schoolgirl. With its wonderful marriage of dreamlike flights of fancy and touching rise of passage, Whisper of the Heart could bring a tear to a glass eye. Inspirational.
Stella D

it's a super sweet story and i'm a sucker for studio ghibli. your enjoyment may depend on your tolerance for john denver's country roads.
Lanning :

(Mimi wo sumaseba) Perhaps the most "normal" screenplay from Miyazaki, this story hits one of my favorite topics: movies about art and the pursuit of artistic expression. The finding of true love in the early to mid-teen years is quite a… More
(Mimi wo sumaseba) Perhaps the most "normal" screenplay from Miyazaki, this story hits one of my favorite topics: movies about art and the pursuit of artistic expression. The finding of true love in the early to mid-teen years is quite a prominent theme in Miyazaki's work. Does anyone get the feeling that he perhaps found a true love around that age and then lost her? Love the cat!
Matthew Y

A simple tale of a young girl dealing with blossoming womanhood and even romance. The film is so grounded that Ghibli animators aren't even given the opportunity to attempt a spectacular animation moment (at least Only Yesterday had the ending title sequence). Due to this fact… More
A simple tale of a young girl dealing with blossoming womanhood and even romance. The film is so grounded that Ghibli animators aren't even given the opportunity to attempt a spectacular animation moment (at least Only Yesterday had the ending title sequence). Due to this fact your liking of the film will hinge on your liking of the lead character and the basic storyline. While I basically enjoyed the film I certainly didn't find it to be a great work or even a noteworthy one. Famously directed by Miyazaki's protégé Yoshifumi Kondo, who tragically died shortly afterwards, the story about the creation of the film and the effects on Studio Ghibli before and after Kondo's involvement are far more interesting than the film itself. A modest accomplishment if you have modest expectations.
Bill C

Very addressable characters beautifully done by Ghibli. I really expected it to take a more whimsical turn (especially when you see the Baron) but as the title says it goes for the heart. The only complaint I have is the movie would have been better if Shizuku just fell asleep after… More
Very addressable characters beautifully done by Ghibli. I really expected it to take a more whimsical turn (especially when you see the Baron) but as the title says it goes for the heart. The only complaint I have is the movie would have been better if Shizuku just fell asleep after reaching her self-realization. Watching the sun rise is just a little too ham handed.
Donna D

What a cute movie. :) I actually enjoyed this animated cartoon by Hayao Miyazaki but directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and the beautiful music of Yuji Nomi. The story was sweet and endearing, with a a sweet tale of romance. I loved it very much and is now one of my top favorites next to… More
What a cute movie. :) I actually enjoyed this animated cartoon by Hayao Miyazaki but directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and the beautiful music of Yuji Nomi. The story was sweet and endearing, with a a sweet tale of romance. I loved it very much and is now one of my top favorites next to Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. :)
kawai d

Married? At 15? COUNTRY ROADS!
Marcus W

A love story between two teenagers with amazing attention to detail in the animation and very strong characters, reminiscent of John Hughes (I'm still not convinced he had nothing to do with this). It has a few touches of fantasy - and in doing so introduces the characters from… More
A love story between two teenagers with amazing attention to detail in the animation and very strong characters, reminiscent of John Hughes (I'm still not convinced he had nothing to do with this). It has a few touches of fantasy - and in doing so introduces the characters from The Cat Returns, but it's another winner from Ghibli.
Marion R

I really like this, film, very charming. Filled with really likable characters, who you want to see happy at the end.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

Cary Elwes
as (English Version)
Courtney Thorne-Smith
as (English Version)
David Gallagher
as (English Version)

Brittany Snow
as (English Version)

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