REVIEW: ‘The Boy and the Heron’ is a fine film about healing

The mind of Hayao Miyazaki continues to be a wonderfully mystical place.

He’s shared some more of his magical vision with his latest animated fantasy feature, “The Boy and the Heron.” The film, set during World War II, centers on a pre-teen boy, Mahito, who is struggling mentally and emotionally after the death of his mother in a fire.

The film picks up with the protagonist’s father recently getting remarried to the sister of his late wife, Mahito’s aunt Natsuko. Mahito is resistant to moving on and accepting the new reality, but when he discovers a path to a magical world, he’s thrust into an adventure where he has to learn to live and trust again, as well as embrace his family.

Miyazaki was inspired by his own childhood for this film, as his mom passed away when he was at a young age, and it shows. His latest film feels personal, as Mahito’s journey is very much a metaphor for his dealing with grief. In his journey, he learns more about his family, understands more about who his mother was and accepts his new mother-figure who also cares for him.

Watching him learn to confront his loss in the way of obstacles, and begin to trust others and form bonds again is endearing, and it’s clear a lot of passion went into these moments. While there’s a lot of visual happenings going on, each tender moment and scene with levity remind the viewer of the importance of Mahito’s experience.

It’s a film that explores the complexities of the human condition, especially when dealing with death and growing up. Like his other films with young characters, Miyazaki is able to infuse a lot of spirit into the coming-of-age scenario here.

That’s why it’s disappointing that the film suffers from a story that for the most part feels rather loose. While many scenes can feel touching because of their impact on Mahito, there’s also the fact that the film takes quite a bit of time to get going and even as things really get underway, there are still developments that feel random.

You could call it a beautiful mess. The film is no doubt meaningful in a lot of ways and it’s also visually fantastic. The animation, as expected from the filmmakers involved, is exceptional, with an array of colors, fluid moments of action, expressive characters and bizarre creatures. Yet it’s still a mess because of the sporadic structuring of the story.

These issues can cause a viewer to feel a bit disconnected from the protagonist’s quest, but the strength of the characters can keep a person invested. Mahito’s character arc is captivating to watch unfold, as he is able comes out of his shell the more the film goes on, and an audience cheers on his progress.

The supporting characters who guide him on his quest are also a very memorable bunch. Having watched the Japanese version, it’s hard to say how the English production comes across, but the original voice actors performing in the native language were quite good.

“The Boy and the Heron” is an adventurous fantasy drama about healing with a bit of comedy sprinkled in to add some lightness. It’s complex and story-wise doesn’t come together as tightly as one would hope, but it’s big heart is in the right place and the animation is a treat for the eyes. 3.65 out of 5.