Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Mary and the Witch’s Flower is on Netflix.
Mary is an energetic, cute little redhead who is nervous to start a new school in a new town situated near a lush green forest. With one week left before classes begin, Mary embarks on a wild adventure when she discovers a strange flower that gives her magical powers and a flying broomstick that leads her to a college for witches and wizards. Mistaken for a new student, Mary is welcomed by the principal, until she is discovered to be an imposter, leading to dangerous consequences!
Based on “The Little Broomstick” by Mary Stewart, the animated film “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” (Original title: Meari to majo no hana) from Studio Ponoc has been directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, known for his work on several Studio Ghibli films, including directing their 2014 title “When Marnie Was Here”. While “When Marnie Was Here” was a slow, nostalgic tale about two young girls who become best-friends, “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” is better paced and filled with fun magical elements.
The 2D animation in “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” (Meari to majo no hana) is beautiful, colorful, bright and engaging from start to finish. It’s a lot better than the choppy, plastic-like 3D animation in the 2020 Ghibli film “Earwig and the Witch”. Mary’s character design is adorable, she is a clumsy but helpful red-haired girl, reminiscent of various beloved animated characters yet possesses a unique charm all her own. Since the story is set against the backdrop of a town nestled by the forest, the animators skillfully craft serene and uplifting scenes amidst nature’s embrace.
“Mary and the Witch’s Flower” focuses on how Mary is mistaken for a witch at a college for magical beings, leading to numerous troubles for the young girl. She meets the principal, an imposing yet curious woman named Madam Mumblechook, and an eccentric professor named Doctor Dee, both of whom harbor dreams of a world ruled by witches and wizards. They think Mary has potential to become a powerful witch, giving the girl a much needed confidence boost. But they aren’t aware that Mary’s power is only temporary, courtesy a rare magical flower.
The primary conflict in the tale revolves around the coveted flower sought after by witches and wizards worldwide. When the flower falls into the wrong hands, it’s up to Mary to prevent the villains from misusing its powers. From starting out as a clumsy girl who cannot get anything right, to flying a witch’s broom like an expert, Mary undergoes a lot of transformation in the tale which is very engaging. Her friendship with two stray cats named Tib and Gib adds an endearing touch to the story.
Magical, whimsical, with plenty of comical and light-hearted moments, all complemented by a subtly pleasing soundtrack, “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” makes for a entertaining visual experience. The film fails to build memorable friendships through its tale and doesn’t offer any profound lessons to its viewers. However, it does convey a simple message in its climax – one doesn’t need magic to enjoy life.
Rating: 7 on 10. You can watch it on Netflix.
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