A Letter to Momo

Name: A Letter to Momo
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Animation, Family
Released: July 23, 2014
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 65

2014

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Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 23 Ratings

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5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 23 Ratings

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A Letter To Momo

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: July 23, 2014 | Not Rated

Summary: The last time Momo saw her father they had a fight – and now all she has left to remember him by is an incomplete letter, a blank piece of paper penned with the words “Dear Momo” but nothing more. Moving with her mother to the remote Japanese island of Shio, Momo soon discovers three yokai living in her attic, a trio of mischievous spiritThe last time Momo saw her father they had a fight – and now all she has left to remember him by is an incomplete letter, a blank piece of paper penned with the words “Dear Momo” but nothing more. Moving with her mother to the remote Japanese island of Shio, Momo soon discovers three yokai living in her attic, a trio of mischievous spirit creatures that only she can see and who create mayhem in the tiny seaside community as she tries desperately to keep them hidden. But these funny monsters have a serious side and may hold the key to helping Momo discover what her father had been trying to tell her. [Gkids]… Expand

Director: Hiroyuki Okiura

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Animation, Family

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 120 min

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Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis

Jul 23, 2014

Enveloped in a sweetness that buffers the depths of its emotions, Hiroyuki Okiura’s A Letter to Momo explores the stains of loss and regret on a personality too young to articulate them. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Jul 21, 2014

The story distinguishes itself from other anime offerings through its attention to both visual and emotional realism. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Aug 28, 2014

Physical beauty and fearless adventure, silly comedy and sensitive emotions, filmmaker Hiroyuki Okiura brings a facility for all of them to the table. Read full review

Wes Greene

Jul 21, 2014

It offers a realistic portrayal of Momo's emotional state, but this comes at the expense of a deeper exploration into both the story's lush supernatural landscape and its inhabitants. Read full review

Bill Stamets

Aug 28, 2014

Writer-director Hiroyuki Okiura, however, does not match the high expectations for story and design set by other Japanese animators. Read full review

Peter Keough

Aug 28, 2014

Though it touches on the usual themes of youthful innocence and imagination challenged by misfortune, and on occasion achieves moments of supremely subtle, sublimely exquisite detail, “Momo” strains when it comes to evoking whimsy and magic. Read full review

Thomas Lee

Sep 5, 2014

Unfortunately, A Letter to Mona, directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, embodies this sense of frozen time with a tedious narrative punctuated by occasional bursts of sentimentality and hard-to-penetrate humor. Read full review

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User Reviews

JTurner

Jan 15, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Whoever would have thought that the director behind the gloomy and dark JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE could turn out such a lovely, heartwarming, and sometimes funny animated delight? As it turned out, though, this was a movie that director Hiroyuki Okiura had always wanted to make. More than seven years in development, A LETTER TO MOMO is gorgeous to look at -- richly painted backdrops providing a peaceful Japanese island inhabited by friendly folks, youths who dive off bridges, and festivals involving straw boats. Better still is the storyline, which, although familiar at times, is told with an honesty and sincerity which makes one wonder if Okiura had been taking lessons from Hayao Miyazaki's MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. As with that movie, this story deals with a girl who encounters unusual creatures and takes a surprisingly melancholy turn in its second half. The stakes are darker here, though; introverted teenager Momo has recently lost her father after a falling out, with only an incomplete letter left from him. When Momo moves with her sickly mom to Shio Island, she is mortified to discover three gluttonous (and goofy) goblins haunting her attic. These ghosts cannot be seen by grown-ups and harbor magic powers. Some may be put off by the slow pace of the story, but anyone else should enjoy this one. I highly recommend it, both for animation buffs and watchers of sincere family drama. The dubbing by NYAV Post is outstanding, as well, with young Amanda Pace turning in a fantastic performance as Momo in her acting debut and great support from veterans such as Stephanie Sheh and Bob Bergen.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

reellm

Jan 4, 2015

3.5/5★ Animated films used to be treated as kids fare but with studios like Pixar, Laika and Studio Ghibli releasing complex and engaging films that engage children and adults both, animated films are no longer only light entertainment to keep the kids busy. A Letter to Momo is a difficult3.5/5★ Animated films used to be treated as kids fare but with studios like Pixar, Laika and Studio Ghibli releasing complex and engaging films that engage children and adults both, animated films are no longer only light entertainment to keep the kids busy. A Letter to Momo is a difficult film that at its core deals with loss and regret- issues that Hiroyuki Okiura handles with sensitivity and attention to detail that creates a visual delight and emotionally satisfying story.
Verdict: For all ages.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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