This is my first ever review here among all the animes I've watched. Pompo: The Cinephile had been a movie I was eyeing for quite some time already after I had seen this in one of recommended movies to watch along with similar theme that fits my preference. And this movie is my first anime movie under this theme or genre again for years. So, this is special to me being a great watch just when I got back after a long time. Here are my thoughts.. I hope this helps in any way for the readers and the movie as well to be appreciated!
Personal:
I
...
like the movie a lot. I like this movie for various reasons. First, the concept is unique as I call it a "meta movie". movie about a movie or in such a way, a movie about itself (at least about making a movie - a movie about a movie/ making a movie). Another is the characters. Pompo already got me at the beginning. Her personality just went through me. I like her. as for the others, I'll discuss them a little later. Also, the theme, definitely. They say every movie has a lesson or lessons we can learn from.. yeah, because there really are but to make a movie filled with it and mostly through the entire movie, and its depth about life and personal meanings, that's something. That is amazing .. fascinating. Lastly, this is not really the last as I still have many other reasons why I like this but let me cut here, is that it moved me. The most important thing in any material I invest my time and put my attention, even heart, to. I learned somewhere long time ago that in order to identify and call something a "masterpiece" is that it must have moved the audience - watcher, reader, consumer and such. But why didn't I rated it 10? Because I rate it based on my understanding of this site/app/web app. Using a numeric or metric system to evaluate something means it is objective. For example, if I will just rate 10 every movie or anything that moves me, the point of rating them makes no sense. That is why though it is a masterpiece, one of the masterpieces I have watched until now, I looked at it with objectivity when it comes to rating.
Story:
I said this is a movie about a movie or making a movie but if you look closely, I believe this movie is about the story of this movie itself.. if that makes sense. I noticed at the end where Gene is editing and he said he needs to sacrifice everything to make something great and as he cut other "unnecessary" things or part of the movie to finish it. I particularly thought about the things he cut that says "family", "friendship", and "conversation". The movie did not tackle any of it as well, as if saying intentionally and telling the movie's (Pompo) own story-making not involving a family background (in-depth) about the characters. Just a quick glimpse of background like Natalie and her grandmother, Pompo and his grandfather, and Gene and his high school "friend". Leaving the gap or spaces of parts like how Pompo and Gene meet, Gene's family background, Gene's friendship or connection progress with Alan. I also like some realistic parts of it that nothing goes as smoothly as planned like finishing the editing on time or schedules in general, stumbling on unprecedented events, and some more.
Everything is perfect to me while having some nitpicks here and there but very little, I just happen to point them out as part of objectivity and to metricize my evaluation of the movie. Those are the "streaming" part at the bank, Gene leaving the hospital and continuing the editing, Pompo being too generous and kind to Gene (but this is possible if she happened to like Gene or they have feelings for each other or at lease have affection), and maybe that every people in the production is like a family, very supportive of each other.
Aside from those, I also have parts or scenes that I did not like that much. For example, the part that many of the good scenes or good shots were cut or removed at the end, the addition of "critical" scene Gene mentioned.. it felt short enough to squeeze or, yes, might remove some to fit that in but not the point of removing that much for that scene. Had my hopes up for the final cut but didn't hit my anticipation and satisfaction. Either way, the ending and scenes between Gene and Pompo compensated for those like they made it clear that Gene likes, in my observation and opinion, Pompo that he dedicated his movie, his passion, his heart, his life, and efforts for Pompo. And Pompo, on the other hand, (I also think) feels the same way and was looking for Gene's movie. The icing on the cake is the final detail that Gene said the best part of the movie he liked is that it is 90-minute (1hr and 30mins) long.. implying that he's happy to make the movie long enough tailor-made for Pompo that does not like long movies (2hrs and more).
Characters:
In general, I like all the characters that I think if people nowadays are like them, it would be very comfortable, peaceful, and lighthearted life to live in. We would be all delightful with each other pursuing our dreams and harmonizing in our community. Watching them makes my heart warm as I sensed humanity. Imagining living with people like them is very inspiring. All of them gave me refreshing feeling and made me at least for around 90 minutes it felt like I lived in an ideal world with them.
Conclusion:
This is a masterpiece. This easily goes to my "recommended" list and I encourage as many people as I can encourage to, to watch this movie.
Aug 11, 2025
Eiga Daisuki Pompo-san
(Anime)
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This is my first ever review here among all the animes I've watched. Pompo: The Cinephile had been a movie I was eyeing for quite some time already after I had seen this in one of recommended movies to watch along with similar theme that fits my preference. And this movie is my first anime movie under this theme or genre again for years. So, this is special to me being a great watch just when I got back after a long time. Here are my thoughts.. I hope this helps in any way for the readers and the movie as well to be appreciated!
Personal: I ... |
