Adapted from Mary Norton's novel 'The Borrowers' (my copy of which seems to have been - um - borrowed) this is another excellent film from Studio Ghibli. The visuals are just gorgeous enough and the character design and chracterisation deft enough to make this story seem both magical and believable, a very hard balance to achieve. The miniscule world of the borrowers is rendered in captivating detail and the visuals make great use of the perspective offered by the tiny borrowers. The film handles moments like Arietty's encounters with the human boy as well as the interplay within the borrowers' family really well. There's very little humour, most of it broad but not intrusive, but there is a lot of wonder and a healthy dose of tension where required. It may not be up there with Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle or My Neighbour Totoro but it's still rather superb.
