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A Letter to Momo
ももへの手紙
2012 120 min Japan PG 12+
★7.3
Comedy, Fantasy, Animation, Drama, Family
Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
Trailers
Description
A shy 11-year-old's life takes a strange turn when she discovers three hungry goblins living in the attic of her new house. She misses her old life. She misses her father so very much. Until she makes some new ghoulish friends.
US Gross:
$71,712
Worldwide:
$6.75M
Starring
Karen Miyama
Actor
Yuka
Actor
Daizaburo Arakawa
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 7 nominations total
Key opinion
Letter to Momo is a deeply atmospheric, grounded character study that blends rural Japanese realism with folklore-inspired fantasy. While its slow, contemplative pace and unconventional humor may not satisfy those seeking high-octane adventure, it effectively captures the emotional nuances of grief and familial reconciliation.
| Emotion | The film excels as an authentic exploration of familial grief, focusing on Momo's internal reconciliation with her father's memory and her evolving relationship with her mother. | |
| Originality | The spirits provide a unique, non-canonical take on Japanese folklore, effectively functioning as clumsy, mischievous mediators between the supernatural and the domestic spheres. | |
| Production | The visual storytelling masterfully balances meticulously detailed rural Japanese landscapes with a grounded sense of place. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is divisive; viewers seeking a quiet, meditative experience find the slow, slice-of-life tempo rewarding, while those expecting a traditional adventure may find it sluggish. | |
| Production | Public opinion on the design of the spirits is split; some perceive them as grotesque and potentially disturbing, while others find them funny, charming, and endearing. |