5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
Runtime: 63 minutes
Synopsis: Told in three interconnected segments, we follow a young man named Takaki through his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.
Animation: 9/10
Screenplay: 7/10
Editing: 6/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Editing: 6/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Verdict: "5 Centimeters Per Second" is the third Makoto Shinkai film I watch after "Your Name", which I loved, and "Weathering With You", which I was a little more mixed about. One thing these two films had in common was the addition of a fantastical element that drove the romance between the young protagonists.
His 2007 feature does feel like a dream, even a nightmare at times thanks to its gorgeous animation and hypnotic score, but omits that supernatural touch. It's a grounded romance between two friends who had to deal with heartbreak at a very young age. The story, which is divided into 3 segments amounting to a runtime of only an hour, focuses on Takaki, a middle schooler who had to say goodbye to the love of his life before moving to another city.
His 2007 feature does feel like a dream, even a nightmare at times thanks to its gorgeous animation and hypnotic score, but omits that supernatural touch. It's a grounded romance between two friends who had to deal with heartbreak at a very young age. The story, which is divided into 3 segments amounting to a runtime of only an hour, focuses on Takaki, a middle schooler who had to say goodbye to the love of his life before moving to another city.
Much like Shinkai's other films, "5 Centimeters Per Second" depicts love as a force that transcends time and space. Feeling the characters' sorrow through the screen felt surprisingly genuine and honest, and that almost spiritual aspect, coupled with the movie's marvelous technical work, is what made the experience such an emotional one.
I did, however, feel that the narrative was a bit rushed at times. Never to the point of complete disconnect but I do wish that it was extended more than it was to allow it to breathe more. As a result, narration was employed on many occasions to let the audience in on what the characters were feeling, and I do believe that this is never the most effective way to translate feelings to the audience.
Nevertheless, I did feel a connection with the film despite its flaws. If you're a fan of Shinkai's work, then consider this one a must. If you're not familiar with him, this can serve as a good introduction to his body of work.
FINAL GRADE: 8/10
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