From Up on Poppy Hill

Name: From Up on Poppy Hill
Genre: Drama, Animation, Family
Released: March 15, 2013
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Gillian Anderson, Sarah Bolger

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 104 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 104 Ratings

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From Up On Poppy Hill (US Trailer)

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: March 15, 2013 | PG

Starring: Gillian Anderson, Sarah Bolger

Summary: Set in Yokohama in 1963, this lovingly hand-drawn film centers on Umi and Shun and the budding romance that develops as they join forces to save their high school’s ramshackle clubhouse from demolition. [GKIDS]

Director: Goro Miyazaki

Genre(s): Drama, Animation, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Phillips

Mar 28, 2013

Your kids may will fall in love with it, if you help them find it. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Mar 29, 2013

Although simpler and less mysterious than the great Hayao Miyazaki movies, the gently melancholic From Up on Poppy Hill is still a must see at a time when family entertainment is too often synonymous with blandness. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Aug 3, 2013

Goro Miyazaki’s film is about the point at which we decide not what we want to be when we grow up, but who, and the way the tiniest moments in our lives often have the most far-reaching effect. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Mar 14, 2013

It's the warm tenor of the film that ultimately rescues it. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Mar 27, 2013

The artistry is peaceful and comforting to the eyes but not especially stirring. Given the pictorial extremes that Studio Ghibli has gone to in the past, "Up on Poppy Hill" is weak tea. Read full review

The Guardian Mike McCahill

Aug 2, 2013

It's a light, breezy 1960s-set coming-of-age tale that strives to convey something of how Japan rebuilt itself after the traumas of the second world war. Read full review

Caroline McKenzie

Mar 11, 2013

The story arc is somewhat facile, and its lesson about preserving history instead of demolishing it to make way for new, shiny things is too obvious. Read full review

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User Reviews

AlanTeew

May 4, 2013

One of Ghibli's best, very much akin to Whispers of the Heart but without the magic cats, and with characters a bit more down to earth, with a greater sense of community.

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

TransientFire

Nov 27, 2013

From Up on Poppy Hill is a simple-yet nostalgic and sweet story. The characters are likable. The main characters is a realistic and beautiful heroine. The story itself will bring back that sense of nostalgia you get thinking about your first love; or just when you where young and in school.From Up on Poppy Hill is a simple-yet nostalgic and sweet story. The characters are likable. The main characters is a realistic and beautiful heroine. The story itself will bring back that sense of nostalgia you get thinking about your first love; or just when you where young and in school. Definitely one of my favorite Hayao Miyazaki films.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

jeff_reviews

Jul 5, 2013

With all of the emotions there with wonderful animation, "From Up on Poppy Hill" is delightful. While it's not as deeply plotted as it could have been, Umi's story is courageous and beautiful, leaving adults more than children to be appealed. It's simply pure Ghibli magic.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Alex1106

Apr 2, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The characters are very likable and the two protagonists have a great personality. I love how everything in this movie seems peaceful and friendly. The story doesn't go far beyond and it got a bit weird when there was suspicion that the protaginists might be siblings but overall the characters are amazing and it is indeed a charming lovestory. 8/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tokyochuchu

Mar 18, 2013

From Up on Poppy Hill is a delightful Gibili anime. Ditching the fantasy motifs completely, the movie tells an understated story of young love and it's obstacles. The film is sweet, subtle and delivers a superbly animated vision of a newly post war Japan. Excellent stuff, as usual!

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

HealingToolbox

Apr 10, 2021

The subtle joys of this will appeal most to animation students and fans of Ghilbli's background artistry. A time capsule of Japan's simple joys in peacetime 1963, all drama put to rest. Weak by USA standards, the story is supported by detailed, craftsman-like characters, backgrounds andThe subtle joys of this will appeal most to animation students and fans of Ghilbli's background artistry. A time capsule of Japan's simple joys in peacetime 1963, all drama put to rest. Weak by USA standards, the story is supported by detailed, craftsman-like characters, backgrounds and coloring, perhaps the best of any Ghilli film. The DVD has a bonus of the full storyboards done by Miyazaki.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Mahmus

Sep 25, 2020

An awkward, yet consistently likeable movie that's elevated by it's great music and feeling of warmth.

Far from one of Ghibli's best, but even the weakest of Ghibli films are stronger than other studios' best films.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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