"Letter to Peach": Life needs the spirit of diving

Ima 2022-01-23 08:04:56

On a small island on the edge of Shikoku, a girl named Momoko who moved from Tokyo has a melancholy expression and does not want to talk to others. With the thoughts of her father and the guilt that she had quarreled with before his father died, she took a letter left to her by his father before his death with only the first three words "To Taozi". How will she regain her anger, how to get rid of that guilt, how to bravely start her new life, how to make new friends, how to find the message her father wants to leave for herself... "Letter to Peach" Tells such a story full of life flavor.

The beautiful scenery and simple folk customs on the small island make people fascinated and fascinated. Perhaps it is this kind of environment that can release Tao Zi from the knot, and perhaps only this kind of environment can make the audience break away from a kind of impetuousness. Healed in the modern life of the earth atmosphere. This is an animation for adults, because it brings us vivid character relationships and delicate character emotions. More importantly, it is closer to the earth than the heroic animation, which is more and more tending towards three-dimensional dazzling techniques and big themes. Whenever I see that simple and neat little shrine on Xiaodao Mountain, which is not stalwart, but stands steadily on the lush jungle and dirt, I know that I have taken a big circle. It turns out that people still need this most. Something that’s down to earth, to find identity and warm the soul.

The film cleverly borrows several monster characters from Shintoism in Japan, and brings a touch of surreal animation to this realistic work, and it also brings this serious topic about melancholy and liberation, growth and searching themes. It's a little humorous. These monsters are hideous, but fiery-hearted, they are sentimental and righteous, and know how to give. It is not the first time that these monsters have been portrayed in this way in Japanese animation. These elves, which were originally used to scare people, have completely become the symbols of the unified consciousness of ugliness and beauty in the Japanese. Their encounters, acquaintances, mutual assistance, and separation with human beings have always become new stories.

When did the peach in the story gradually untie her knot? I think it was probably when she and a few monsters came to the top of the mountain and saw the magnificent scenery of the island. In the ending song, she and her mother once again reached the commanding heights. So this is an important plot. Another important plot is diving. From the first time I escaped diving, the second time I missed the appointment and didn't go diving, the third time I practiced diving on the rocks on the shore, to the last brave and indulgent jump. What she needs is not only the courage to jump off the bridge, but the courage to get rid of the haze of her father's death and continue to move her life forward; what she jumps into is not only the blue sea, but also the broader future of life. Just as the monster said when Taozi pushed her while practicing: "Isn't this a good jump!"

In fact, the monster not only protects Taozi, but also resolves Taozi's guilt so that she can grow. It is hard to imagine that this is a task arranged by God, and perhaps we should regard it as the wish of Taozi's father. It's like the last letter that Taozi received, which faded with the boat's lights, using the letter paper of the little monster, but it was the father's blessing. I always feel that my father's hearty smile is very similar to the big mouth of the biggest monster, and it won't be a coincidence.

When the three monsters completed their mission and returned to the sky, the clock of Taozi's house that hadn't moved around for a long time jumped from 5:59 to 6:00, and the bell sounded. The bell was as clear as Xiaotao's smile after hearing the bell. Perhaps the clock in Tao Zi's heart has finally moved forward from the stagnation that began when his father died.

In the film, the director also designed a companion for Taozi who can also see monsters, an innocent little sister of a male friend. Could it be that the setting in "My Neighbor Totoro" that only the little girl can see the strange life thing has continued here, the monsters self-guessed that they encountered peach when they fell from the sky, so the hypothesis that she could see it was also untenable Up. Why on earth can the little sister see the monsters? Maybe only the director knows it, but anyway, if only Taozi can see the monsters, then the story is too boring. Because in that case, Taozi will be a special case of being favored, rather than an ordinary person, and the warmth of humanity she has experienced will not be entrusted and passed on to other people.

It is worth mentioning that Taozi's mother has asthma. At the end of the film, when her mother was concerned and caused her asthma to recur, I was deeply moved. Because I had asthma when I was a child, I felt the same feeling for the breathless pain of asthma as portrayed in the film. But I am not a parent. I still can't appreciate the kind of care for my children, let alone the hardship of raising children by myself if the other half of my life dies. So I felt this mother's feeling of being pressed by the pain of the body and the hard work of the soul, and it was really hard to say a word for her.

This film took 7 years to complete. It is not necessary to mention the exquisite conception and delicate emotions. There are "three" at the end of the film, which shows the amount of internal support in the film, and also shows how much the director can't bear to end the work. One, Taozi sent away a few monsters, the house bell rang, and she showed a long-lost sincere smile...Second, on the coast at night, the villagers believed in ancient rituals and made boats out of straw. Passing his thoughts to the gods, one of the boats was pushed back to shore by the waves, carrying a letter on it...Three, on a sunny day, Taozi puts on a swimsuit, and is encouraged and watched by her playmate Down, jump into the sea from the bridge...

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Extended Reading

A Letter to Momo quotes

  • Momo Miyaura: [last words to her father] You're selfish, and you're a liar. I don't care if you come back.