The Secret World of Arrietty parents guide

The Secret World of Arrietty Parent Guide

While there is little content most parents will find objectionable in this film, the issue still arises around "borrowing."

Overall B+

A tiny family dwells beneath the floorboards of a suburban home, unbeknownst to the big people who also live there. That is until Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler) is accidentally seen. Although twelve-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie) is delighted to become a secret friend, his knowledge of her existence threatens the safety of all the little people.

Release date February 17, 2012

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity A
Substance Use A-

Why is The Secret World of Arrietty rated G? The MPAA rated The Secret World of Arrietty G

Run Time: 94 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Japanese animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi takes the directorial seat of The Secret World of Arrietty. Best known for his animation work in films such as Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away, he stays fairly true to Mary Norton’s 1952 children’s novel The Borrowers upon which the movie is based. In the opening scenes, he introduces the spirited tiny teen girl Arrietty (voice by Bridgit Mendler) and her parents Pod and Homily (voices by Will Arnett and Amy Poehler). The director then invites audiences under the floorboards and into the family’s miniature household equipped with items they’ve “borrowed” from the Big People.

Maintaining their secret world is imperative for their safety and survival. But despite severe warnings from her parents, Arrietty can’t help but reveal herself to Shawn (voice by David Henrie), an ailing young boy who has come to live with his Aunt Jessica (voice by Gracie Poletti). While Shawn intends no harm to the little people, Hara the housemaid (voice by Carol Burnett) doesn’t share his benign fascination with them. She would just as soon call in the exterminators as let the Borrowers take things from her kitchen.

Yonebayashi’s attention to detail and the gentle unfolding of the story differ appreciably from the fast-paced, almost frenetic films more commonly aimed at children. Several scenes depict Shawn simply reclining in the colorful riot of wildflowers that have overtaken the English manor’s garden. Even the musical score is melodic and soft, although it picks up during the brief moments of peril that most often involve the family cat.

While there is little content most parents will find objectionable in this film, the issue still arises around “borrowing.” Certainly the script makes a point of informing us that the family only borrows what they need. But by definition, to borrow is to take and use something with the intention of returning it. I’m pretty sure this little family has no intention of returning the sweet stuff they snatch from the kitchen sugar bowl.

Japanese Title: Kari-gurashi no Arietti

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Gary Rydstrom (English Language Version). Starring Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, David Henrie, Moises Arias. Running time: 94 minutes. Theatrical release February 17, 2012. Updated

The Secret World of Arrietty
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Secret World of Arrietty rated G? The Secret World of Arrietty is rated G by the MPAA

Violence: A bird attacks and pecks a cat that is stalking something in the garden. A large bug threatens one of the Borrowers. A tiny character is chased by a cat and later by a bird that thrashes wildly after it becomes stuck in a window screen. A woman hits the bird with a shoe. A boy shows off a freshly detached cricket leg he intends to eat for dinner. A home is damaged and later destroyed. A tiny character is captured and put in a glass jar. A woman calls in exterminators to take care of the “pests.”

Sexual Content: Appropriate affectionate gestures are depicted between friends of opposite genders.

Language: A mother makes a plea to a higher power using a term of Christian Deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Alcohol is served at dinner for the Big People. A woman is accused of getting into the sherry.

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The Secret World of Arrietty Parents' Guide

Are the tiny characters in this story borrowing or stealing? Is there a difference? What is it? The movie often tells audience members that the Borrowers are only taking what they need. What is the definition of need? Are the things they have taken to beautify their home truly a need? Could the justification the family uses to explain their actions be used by someone who might “need” to take something belonging to you?

How do the different Big People respond to the Little People in this story? Why is Hara the housemaid so eager to expose them? Does the story give any reason for her feelings about Arrietty and her family?

How do common household objects become threatening obstacles for the tiny family? Would you like to live in the miniature world of the Borrowers? If you were one of them, what kind of things would you borrow?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Secret World of Arrietty movie is May 22, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Secret World of Arrietty

Release Date: 22 May 2012

The Secret World of Arrietty releases to home video in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Bonus extras include:

-  Storyboard version of the film

- Original trailers and TV spots

- Music videos by Cecile Corbel and Bridgit Mendler

- Making of the Mendler video

Related home video titles:

Mary Norton’s children’s novel has been adapted to the big screen before, in the 1998 movie The Borrowers. Another of her books was the inspiration for the film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Little people are also featured in The Gnome-Mobile and The Indian in the Cupboard. The secret lives of other tiny characters that coexist without the humans knowing are depicted in the movies Toy Story and Flushed Away.

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