My Neighbours the Yamadas (1999)

Studio Ghibli have a deserved reputation as purveyors of fantastical and sophisticated fantasy animation, with the company coming to wider renown after 2003's Oscar winning Spirited Away. But the company had been churning out consistently interesting and varied works for years before this, from that My Neighbours the Yamadas is certainly one that sticks out. Adapted from a Japanese comic the film retains it's aesthetic and narrative convention, presenting itself as a slideshow of sorts documenting the everyday life of the Yamada family. Comprising of mother, father, grandma and two children the film plays out as a series of small vignettes displaying some aspect of their life, conflicts or just quirky situations. Despite this seemingly thin premise there is plenty to enjoy here, largely thanks to the wonderfully warmhearted characterisation and animation. 
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Directed by Isao Takahata, also responsible for the other Ghibli films Pom Poko and Grave of the Fireflies, the film strikes a wonderful tone, shifting effortlessly between slapstick antics., quieter human moments and meaningful life lessons. There is nothing showy, or extravagant about the Yamada family and I immediately became engaged with their everyday exploits and interactions. Each family members feels so well sketched and detailed that the sparse animation only enhances this. What could have seemed overly simplistic and a burden actually enhances the film, allowing you to fill in the gaps yourself and presenting an abstract world that feels unique and fascinating. Some may find the lack of a strong through narrative difficult to handle, but I never had an issue with the episodic nature of the film. Each segment is so well constructed, and varied that I was left wanting more if anything once the film had ended.
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Of all the characters the youngest daughter, Nonoko, leads many of the adventures, but the film also manages to find ways in which to give each character a chance to shine. The grandma is especially well defined and one of the things I was most impressed with was the restraint with which the film handles it's sensitive moments. There are frequent opportunities for the film to take an obvious and exaggerated view of a situation, but this is never acted upon. The film also observes family brilliantly, the ups and downs as well as the strong bond that runs underneath it all, allowing misunderstandings and arguments to resolve in a surprisingly grounded manner. If anything it is this ego-less matter-of-fact tone that most endeared the film to me. It runs so contrary to the idea of family so often peddled by Hollywood that it felt refreshingly humble in it's embracing of the everyday and mundane. 
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My Neighbours the Yamadas is a slight film, of that there is no denying. However it is also very funny, truthful and engaging. It paints a wonderfully appealing portrait of family life and left me inspired by its quiet message of love, perseverance and understanding in all circumstances.