Howl's Moving Castle

I usually start off all of my writing with a metaphorical first thought on the movie or TV show I am going to discuss. Sometimes it’s reflecting on my own life, or on the world around me. Other times it’s thinking on a grander scale of how people live their lives. Today, our focus will rest in the latter half of life, and how we choose to battle the hands of time. Howl’s Moving Castle is a story all about growing old and finding compassion for others that are to come after. As the upcoming generation, we are being ushered into a life filled with struggle and uncertainty. The world is on the brink, and some days it seems like things are never going to get better. Fortunately for us, we have the opportunity to fix that. Howl’s Moving Castle is a perfect example of this belief: compassion and love are the most important things we can offer.

We’re introduced to our world through the eyes of one of the protagonists: a young woman by the name of Sophie. After just finishing a shift as a hat-maker, she decides to go visit her sister Lettie across town. This is where Sophie and the audience are first introduced to the magnificent Howl. A wizard who is beloved by the people, he unintentionally brings her into a conflict he is facing with magical beings and helps her to escape to safety. Sophie is mystified by this brilliant wizard and seeks to learn more. But, upon returning to her home, Sophie is cursed by the Witch of Waste, one of Howl’s enemies. As a result, Sophie is left as an old woman, forced to seek out a cure, and heading out into the country. It’s an exciting and fulfilling premise that promises a journey of self-discovery, like other works from Miyazaki, and how age isn’t always a barrier.

Truthfully, I wasn’t really sure what to expect when my girlfriend Angel asked that we watched this movie, proclaiming it to be her favourite of all of Miyazaki’s movies (besides maybe Ponyo). And at times throughout the movie, I wasn’t really sure what the overarching message was. But, once the final credits rolled, everything came together for me and I realize just how magical of a film this really is. There are so many layers to the characters and moments in this story that you don’t get on the first go around. In particular, Howl and Sophie’s romance throughout the film is played so brilliantly. It’s never something that feels overdone, with small moments and development that help to really show how different but alike these two people are. Everything feels real between them, and the emotional weight of their relationship really bounces off the screen. But, the moment Sophie happens upon Howl’s castle for the very first time, it immediately feels like you’re about to experience something special, and it truly delivers on that premise. Love is the main overarching factor that this film is made clear from the very beginning. Whether it’s Sophie being wistful after her first encounter with Howl, or as an old woman taking care of the strange family assembled within the castle: this is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve and it’s all the better for it.

There are other themes tackled in Howl’s Moving Castle as well, one of the major ones being that of pacifism and how grey the idea of war really is. Every character has layers as I’ve mentioned, and nobody besides Sophie is shown to always be righteous and just. It’s fascinating seeing how the story turns your beliefs of these characters on their heads. The people who you believe to be the villains often become the heroes, but most of the time they’re always kept in that morally ambiguous nature, and make you ponder just what the right way to think of them is. It also challenges the basic idea of war changing who we are as people, weighing this idea mostly on Howl’s shoulder throughout the majority of the film. Often dragged into conflict and left with no choice as to what his options are, every time he’s forced into a fight it feels as though we’re seeing him lose a part of his humanity as he shoots into the dark sky.

It wouldn’t be a The Open Theater article if I didn’t spend a moment talking about the visuals of this movie. That opening sequence where Howl guides Sophie to safety is magical in many different ways and really helps to show the beauty of this world. Along with this, the variety of characters brought into the story, whether it be a hopping turnip or Howl’s castle; there’s so much use of visual storytelling to help amplify and connect with the themes of the story. The castle at first glance looks like a mess of different rooms and buildings essentially shoved together in a mish-mosh, but there’s a strange beauty to the construction it. Held together by a living fire by the name of Calcifier, the castle has it’s own character and story to it. It’s the home of the family composed of Howl and Sophie, along with others they meet along the way. It feels like you’re a part of this family as well, welcoming you to their table. There’s a lot of beauty to behold throughout this film, and sometimes that beauty plays into the story in ways not really expected. Overall, it’s just as gorgeous as you’d expect from a Miyazaki film.

Howl’s Moving Castle is another outstanding win for Miyazaki, Ghibli, and Disney. I don’t often watch foreign films in their original language, finding it to be easier to watch them with English dubs. But, at the request of Angel, I decided to watch this movie the way it was intended and I must say, it made it more memorable for me and overall a better experience even if there was some reading to do. It felt much more natural, and something I recommend anyone do if you want to watch this movie for yourself. It may take time to adjust, but the rewards of doing so will make the film more alive. Miyazaki’s most mature tale is fitting for all ages, a wonderful story all on its own, and a fitting reminder for all to slow down so we enjoy the moments that truly matter.