Animation nearly always leaves me cold, because it is so damn predictable: the same raucous cacophony of cheesy crap over and over and over. Arrietty is different. It is slow, quiet, detailed, almost meditative. It drags a bit here and there, but you don’t really mind because it takes the time and effort to paint in pleasing detail the intriguing world of the little people (what they have to go through just to get a sugar cube is really something!) There isn’t a ton of dialog, but the dialog is earnest and well-written. It is very unmanipulative for an animated film, which is refreshing, and my wife and I found it quite enjoyable. I should also add that it has a lovely score.

When we saw this film at Union Square, the theater was packed to the gills with A.D.D. children frothing at the mouth, each with their own iphone. I must say, this film is so subtle and quiet that the theater of children was like a frenetically unstable mob constantly threatening to cross a tipping point into a full-on melee. But thankfully, just enough distracting action happens in the film to pull your typical modern child back into it before they go off the deep end.

I recommend this film if you are in the mood for a light, low-key and interesting animated feature that lulls you and relaxes you.