I went to a screening for Whisper of the Heart (Mimi wo Sumaseba, 耳をすませば) in the San Francisco public library, supported by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. The event was anchored by Gilles Poitras. Unfortunately, San Francisco organized some unholy hybrid of a frea market and a farmer's market in the square in front of the library, so streets were closed off and parking was full. I sat in traffic jams, parked for $25, and ended being late. I saw probably 3/4 of the film.

I didn't have my pencil on me, so no notes. The overall impression is rather positive, it's on the border of "buy DVD". The movie is a love story, nothing less, nothing more. It is recognizeably Ghibly and Miyazaki, but different enough in details. Maybe it's because, uniquely for Ghibly, the movie is based on a manga. Or perhaps because Miyazaki only wrote the screenplay and Yoshifumi Kondou directed. There's no war, so the trademark Miyazaki's hatred of all things military does not get a chance to annoy me.

Liked: Yes (not my bag, but certainly a high quality work.)
Rewatch: Possibly.