“Suzume” follows the journey of a 16-year-old high school student named Suzume, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Souta, a young man claiming to be a “closer.” Souta reveals a mission to prevent a calamitous worm-like creature from emerging through mysterious doors scattered across Japan. When a magical keystone transforms into a cat, cursing Souta and turning him into Suzume’s childhood chair, Suzume feels compelled to join him in closing these dangerous portals. Together, they embark on a fantastical adventure across Japan, facing challenges and uncovering secrets as they strive to protect their world from impending disaster.
II’m torn on Suzume because I’m a huge admirer of Makoto Shinkai, and his recent blockbusters, Your Name and Weathering With You, set the bar quite high. Even though Suzume opts for traditional 2D animation, I felt compelled to experience it in IMAX. After catching it over the weekend, I can confidently say that spending 690 PHP was worth it solely for Shinkai’s visually stunning animation.
Suzume, the protagonist, embodies bravery and responsibility, admirable traits considering her upbringing by her aunt following her mother’s early demise. Despite her maturity, she’s still a 16-year-old grappling with typical adolescent struggles and yearning for her mother, showcasing remarkable resilience.
In contrast, Souta’s character lacks depth in backstory. While we learn he hails from a family associated with closing gates, his motivations seem simplistic, leaving unanswered questions about his familial ties and the nature of their role as “Closers.” Similarly, the origin of the mysterious worms remains a central enigma, despite hints at alternate dimensions or the afterlife.
While inspired by significant events like the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which left a lasting impact, Suzume’s narrative falls short of the director’s previous works. Despite tackling weighty themes, it feels somewhat niche, leaving viewers with lingering uncertainties about its broader context and significance.
What I meant earlier about being undecided was that I didn’t feel a strong connection with the characters in the movie. While they’re pleasant enough, unlike the compelling relationships of Mitsuha and Taki in “Your Name” or Hodaka and Hina in “Weathering With You,” I didn’t find myself truly rooting for them.
Instead, I found myself focusing on other elements of the film. I particularly enjoyed the moments when Suzume interacted with the fascinating strangers she encountered while traveling with Souta as a chair. The climax was undoubtedly the film’s highlight, allowing Suzume to confront her grief, her feelings of guilt towards her aunt, and ultimately find her own path.
Additionally, the music was a standout feature. The soundtrack was ethereal; I was compelled to stay until the very end of the credits to fully appreciate it.
The movie received a nomination for Animation of the Year at the current Japan Academy Film Prize, underscoring the immense respect for Shinkai’s work within his native land. While I may be among the few who didn’t fully embrace the film, if you appreciate stunning visuals and captivating music, it’s definitely worth watching!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Cast:
Nanoka Hara as Suzume Iwato (岩戸 鈴芽, Iwato Suzume)[4]
Akari Miura as child Suzume[5]
Hokuto Matsumura as Sōta Munakata (宗像 草太, Munakata Sōta)[6]
Eri Fukatsu as Tamaki Iwato (岩戸 環, Iwato Tamaki)[7]
Shota Sometani as Minoru Okabe (岡部 稔, Okabe Minoru)[7]
Sairi Ito as Rumi Ninomiya (二ノ宮 ルミ, Ninomiya Rumi)[7]
Kotone Hanase as Chika Amabe (海部 千果, Amabe Chika)[7]
Kana Hanazawa as Tsubame Iwato (岩戸 椿芽, Iwato Tsubame)[7]
Matsumoto Hakuō II as Hitsujirō Munakata (宗像 羊朗, Munakata Hitsujirō)[7]
Ryūnosuke Kamiki as Tomoya Serizawa (芹澤 朋也, Serizawa Tomoya)[8]
Ann Yamane as Daijin (ダイジン)[9]
Aimi as Miki (ミキ)[10]
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