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Note: This is a review covering the 2006 English dub by Disney.

Whisper of the Heart is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food. Flawed - at times, laughably so - and excessively cliched, Yosifumi Kondo's only directorial effort is saccharine and sometimes cloying. Nonetheless, Whisper of the Heart is Ghibli doing what Ghibli does best; nostalgic light-hearted stories with a touch of drama, tastefully applied fantasy, and beautiful visuals. It's a nightmare for the cynical, but it's indulgently romantic in an innocently charming way.

Shizuku is a middle-school girl who yearns for adventure. She doesn't find such in her small home in Tokyo, where she is lectured by her older sister, and feels neglected by busy, but well-meaning parents. But after following a cat on a train, she discovers a beautiful antique shop, run by a friendly old man. She thinks she has found the adventure she's been looking for. But in fact, the real adventure is in a young boy she meets who makes violins, and has dreams not unlike her own.

Whisper of the Heart is overwhelmingly sappy. It's dripping with syrup, and some will find the film intolerable. This isn't the same as Ghibli films like Kiki's Delivery Service or My Neighbor Totoro, in which mere optimism would prove a dividing point. Here, it's the romance aspect. On one hand, it's hopelessly corny, but on the other hand, it sort of works.

The main reason Whisper of the Heart works so well is because of the aesthetics. The music and visuals are truly some of Studio Ghibli's best. The attention to detail is incredible, and the lush backgrounds and bright colors are wonderful. It's an immersive atmosphere, and like the best of Ghibli's films (excepting, perhaps, Grave of the Fireflies), it creates a seemingly perfect world that begs for further exploration. I would have been happy spending the entire 111 minute runtime with Shizuku chasing the cat around this stunning interpretation of Tokyo.

It takes some time for the film to really find its footing. The story doesn't really start making serious headway until about 45 minutes in or so. Until then, the sheer power of the atmosphere, visuals, and music is enough to carry the feature.

The solid voice cast lacks obvious stand-outs. The friendly voices of James Sikking and Harold Gould in father-type roles are soothing to hear. Carl Elwes chews his scenery, as the role requires. Lead voice talents Brittany Snow and David Gallagher work well, despite some patchy dialogue.

Yuji Nomi's score aids the visuals in creating a fantastical and nostalgic world out of contemporary Tokyo. It's lovely and affecting, even arresting at times. Whisper of the Heart is one of those rare perfectly scored films, its music elevating the film significantly. Even the strange inclusion of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" in a prominent role in the film manages to melt into the fabric of the movie and score over time.

Charming and sweet, Whisper of the Heart easily meets the quality standards of Studio Ghibli. A hammy script can't stop the powerful visuals and exquisite score from engaging (and effectively transporting) the audience to another Ghibli-designed paradise. Problems abound, but Whisper of the Heart is a touching and memorable motion picture.

Score: 7/10