Chie the Brat

Jarinko Chie (Chie the Brat) is the movie version of a long-running Japanese comic strip. I found the film to be very entertaining and well up to the quality of story one would expect from the great director Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko, Only Yesterday). I've never seen or read the original comic, but the character development aspect of this film stands alone and ensures enjoyment whether or not one can find the comic.

Chieko (Chie) is a young girl, in second or third grade in elementary school, who lives with her divorced father in a small bar/eatery somewhere in the Osaka area in western Japan. As young as she is, she's quite capable of fending for herself and running the eatery--as her father, Tetsu, is lazy and a bit of a scoundrel.

There are several concurrently-running plots in this tale. First is the relationship between Chie and her father. Outwardly, she is in open rebellion against him. She does love him, however, and stands up for him when she must. Next is the relationship between Chie's parents. The divorced mom, Yoshie, is still in her life. It's plain that her father can't stand being around his former wife, even when she moves in again. Another plot involves her father, Chie's newfound stray cat, and some local gangsters. Chie's cat gets into a fight with the gang leader's cat and beats him handily. The consequences of this battle are profound.

While the plots are separate, they all serve to flesh out the fascinating and completely likable characters. You get to know and like everybody in the story--including the gangsters. This story isn't very deep, but it is very satisfying and easy to get fully engrossed in. I gave this film an 8 out of 10.