Review of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (1997) by Steve R — 06 May 2008

I can't remember that last time I enjoyed a film as much. As the title suggests, this film covers some of the same ground as Groundhog Day and The Butterfly Effect, but this film is far more character driven than either of those.

This isn't a science-fiction film in the truest sense, in that none of the science behind the time travel is explained in any great detail. The film is more to do with wishing you could have your cake and eat it, but shows how unhappy you can make yourself if you try to control everything.

There are quite a few plot twists, and some of them surprising, for what is essentially a slow-paced film about inter-personal relationships. The characters are all completely believable and not the cliches one comes to expect from American animated films.

The artwork of the film is also pleasant to watch, and while not quite in the same league as some of Miyazaki's films, it wouldn't look out of place amongst them.

Quite simply, an unsung masterpiece.