Arrietty is a tiny but tenacious 14-year-old girl who lives with her parents beneath the floorboards of a quiet, occupied home. Her family works hard to stay hidden from view, minus the rare occasions where they must venture out to "borrow" scraps that the humans won't realize are missing. But when Shawn, a human boy who moves into the home, discovers Arrietty and her father walking around one night, a unique, secretive friendship is unearthed.
While the story is quite simple, the end result for Disney's The Secret World of Arrietty is nothing less than extraordinary. Unlike many films of late, you actually care for the characters and worry about the fate of Arrietty and her family. You fear for them each time they venture out on an expedition, unaware of just what might happen if they were to be exposed.
I found myself overly engaged with this film, intoxicated by its fluid blend of visuals and story. On the surface, it is nothing more than a child's tale of a unique and adventurous friendship. At the core, you can't help but deny that The Secret World of Arrietty is a unique and stimulating picture that the whole family will enjoy.
