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A young woman indulges in nostalgia, for her childhood and for a rural life she never had, in "Only Yesterday," a poignant memory piece made by the animation masters at Japan's Studio Ghibli.
Made in 1991 but never widely released in the United States before now, the story centers on Taeko, a Tokyo cubicle drone who takes her summer vacation in the country, getting her hands dirty harvesting safflowers. Accompanying her on the trip is her fifth-grade self, and she frequently flashes back to scenes of her childhood. These memories include old children's TV jingles, her first "becoming a woman" health class, and having her ambitions crushed by her stern father and timid mother. In the countryside, Taeko recounts these moments to Toshio, an organic farmer on whom she may or may not have a crush.
Director Isao Takahata ("The Tale of the Princess Kaguya") weaves a gentle tale, brimming with lush animation of the Japanese countryside. Some of the cultural references feel specific to Japanese baby boomers, but the movie also captures Taeko's sense of missing out on the life of her dreams.
(The movie will be screened both in the original Japanese and in a new English dub with "Star Wars" star Daisy Ridley as the adult Taeko and Dev Patel as Toshio.)
'Only Yesterday'
Opening Friday, March 18, at the Broadway Centre Cinemas; rated PG for thematic elements, some rude behavior and smoking; in Japanese with subtitles, or dubbed in English; 118 minutes.