40. Belle (Ryû to sobakasu no hime); movie review

 

BELLE (RYÛ TO SOBAKASU NO HIME)

Cert TBA

121 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

I would doubt that I will see a more vibrant, colourful movie than Belle during 2022. It sparkled from my 65-inch TV (I was sent a preview copy) so I can imagine how dazzling it will be at the cinema.

But Mamoru Hosoda's anime is so much more than a pretty picture.

It thoughtfully addresses themes of grief, child abuse, bullying and teenage love while weaving in the modern obsession for video simulations.

It does all of this seamlessly alongside a Beauty and The Beast-style story.

Hosoda's film centres on Suzu (voiced by Kaho Nakamura), a 17-year-old schoolgirl who has been progressively more cut of from the world since the death of her mother when she was much younger.

She has a best friend (Lilas Ikuta) but otherwise is shy of boys, envious of popular girls and shies away from her father (Kōji Yakusho). Even her love of singing has suffered.

Her pal suggests that she finds a release from her sadness in a technologically advanced virtual world which gives its five billion members the chance to be anything they want to.

There, she becomes Belle a confident and beautiful young woman who attracts millions of fans with her angelic voice and catchy songs.

But how does she translate Belle's confidence to the awkward and nervous Suzu?

And how does she handle a mysterious creature who has been labelled the villain of the virtual world but in whom she sees pain and suffering?

This beauty and the beast have adventures in cyber space which run in parallel with their very different real lives.

Their respective stories are wonderfully drawn together by Hosada as, in real life, Suzu is sought to help others who are not nearly as confident as she had imagined.

Belle looks great, has a lovely spark of originality while also nodding to a traditional story and themes which everyone will understand.

It is beautiful and poignant and a rare mix of modern and traditional.

Reasons to watch: Beautiful and poignant

Reasons to avoid: Its approach might be too modern for some

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? The main theme and first song heard in the movie is by Japanese music group Millennium Parade, and there are many subtle hints and references to the group within the movie. Peggie Sue is voiced by Ermhoi, who frequently provides vocal work in their songs.

The final word. Mamoru Hosoda: "I remain convinced that the internet can also be a tool for good, to improve the lives of all. As the internet is constantly evolving, I promised myself that I would make a film that would show its positive benefits."

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