‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ Offers Big Lessons on Life

Based on a children’s book called The Borrowers, a popular title
originally published in 1952 by British author Mary Norton, The Secret
World of Arrietty is one of those covert teachable moments—actually, it
features several of them.

The movie was the year’s top grossing film when it was released in Japan in
2010, winning the Animation of the Year award. Translated, dubbed by an
American cast and distributed stateside by Walt Disney Pictures, The Secret
World of Arrietty was made by legendary Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away
and Ponyo) and released in the U.S. on Feb. 17.

Arrietty (voiced by Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler)
is 4 inches tall. She and her family are Borrowers. They live in the recesses
of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper
Haru (voiced by Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee)
remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the
floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies that their human hosts won’t miss.

Arrietty is 14, and the limitation of her 4-inch stature means nothing to
the girl. In Arrietty’s eyes, the whole world is hers to explore, even if her
easily agitated mother, Homily (voiced by Amy Poehler), and her father, Pod
(voiced by Will Arnett), say otherwise. “Better be careful,” they would warn,
relating an oft-repeated story about a long-lost relative eaten by a frog.

One day, a boy arrives at the house. Shawn (voiced by David
Henrie) is a sickly 12-year-old with a bad heart who has come to rest at
his grandmother’s house. He is supposed to have absolutely no excitement in
preparation for a heart operation scheduled the following week or so. The first
day, he spots Arrietty during one of her unauthorized forays into the real
world and attempts to befriend her. Over the next few days, a secret friendship
blossoms between the two—putting the lives of Arrietty and her family in
danger.

The life of a Borrower is hard and sometimes dangerous. Arrietty is of the
age to start doing what Borrowers do—taking things from the “beings” (normal
sized humans) that they won’t miss. Her first borrowing adventure involves the Mission
Impossible-like acquisition of a single cube of sugar, which, for a
Borrower, is probably enough for a week or more of sustenance.

Arrietty’s father guides her with a strong but gentle hand. Not once does he
raise his voice or rebuke in order to teach her something. Guilty as charged, I
related to this immediately. When teaching necessary life skills to children,
yelling is never a good choice to get your point across. Rather, experience—and sometimes even failure—make for a better teacher.

Another little tidbit I noted was in the proud joy of Arrietty’s father, who
was finally able to work side-by-side with his child in the family business. I
remember when I was old enough to contribute to the more glamorous work on our
family farm—driving trucks, working the fields in the tractor, getting to leave
school at lunch to bring in the crops—I experienced a great sense of belonging!
Kids need to know that you not only love them, but you also like to be around
and work with them.

With a bad heart, Shawn has dealt with the possibility of death his whole
life. His choice is to face it with strength and not fear. Each day is a new
day to be thankful. Each day is a new adventure. Whether or not the operation
helps, Shawn has decided to move forward. Arrietty has always feared death, so
this is a very different life outlook. What a valuable lesson. Even more, Shawn
discovered that true friendship can strengthen a person in unexplainable ways.
He felt stronger, as if the damage to his heart was being reversed by the love
of a friend. Metaphorical or not, we all can attest to the benefits of having a
friend.

The Secret World of Arrietty is a fun, child-safe adventure. Yes,
there are moments where Arrietty takes some dangerous risks and disobeys her
parents. As in real life, consequences remain even though she was forgiven. A
true teachable moment, parents are offered a gift-wrapped opportunity to
discuss positive and negative consequences of our children’s choices and
decisions.

During the screening, which I attended with my wife, almost 11-year-old son
and 4-year-old daughter, I noticed that the audience was very connected to this
movie from beginning to end. Bottom line? The Secret World of Arrietty
is a great family movie with real life lessons.

Content Watch:The Secret World of Arrietty is
rated G—though younger children could be frightened by scenes of peril as the
Borrowers have to be watchful of bugs, rats, cats, crows and “beings.” With no
questionable language or messages, this movie is very safe for the little ears
in your family. Even the “borrowing” is explained to be only for survival.
Loving affection between different characters was prevalent, but always
appropriate.

Alan
Mowbray is a husband, father of two children and technical writer for an
Orlando, Fla., area software company. Visit his blog by clicking here.