Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Studio Ghibli‘s Howl’s Moving Castle is an exquisitely beautiful fairy tale romance that rebelliously rewrites the rules of its very genre. Instead of giving us a heroine canonized by her kindness, humility, and beauty, Howl’s Moving Castle stars Sophie (Emily Mortimer), a cynical milliner who comes alive like never before after being turned into an old woman (Jean Simmons) via a jealous curse. Free from the worries of leaning on her looks, she finds an inner fire to match that of fire demon Calcifer (Billy Crystal), and eventually saves the day. In many ways, Howl’s Moving Castle is a striking rebuttal to the Disney Princess formula and a film that focuses on its heroine’s inner beauty through and through. Not to mention, Howl’s Moving Castle is one of the absolute best things you can watch on HBO Max right now.
One of the best parts of HBO Max is its fantastic collection of Studio Ghibli films. Studio Ghibli, of course, is the Japanese animation studio most defined by the work of genius animator Hayao Miyazaki. The studio has produced several of the most beloved animated features of the last three decades, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Tortoro, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
2004’s Howl’s Moving Castle is loosely based on the Diana Wynne Jones novel of the same name. It’s set in a fantasy world where Sophie Hatter spends a boring and uneventful life working in a hat shop. One day, during a festival, she is cornered by two lecherous soldiers. A mysterious gentleman helps her escape their clutches and it is soon revealed that he is a wizard named Howl (Christian Bale), known for his “moving castle” and rumored hunger for pretty girl’s hearts.
Almost immediately after this encounter, the shy and withdrawn Sophie is visited by a mysteriously haughty woman. This is the Witch of the Wastes (Lauren Bacall), a terrifying figure who curses Sophie to resemble an elderly woman. Why? Because she’s jealous that Howl paid the girl attention.
Of course, Sophie is immediately horrified by this transformation, but she also shifts into action. After vainly hoping she can sleep it off, she determines that she must leave her home and journey to the Wastes, in the hopes of finding some sort of cure. Along the way, she encounters an enchanted scarecrow who helps her track down Howl’s moving castle.
Once aboard, Sophie doesn’t bargain for a favor, but weasels her way into the household as their plucky (and much-needed) cleaning lady. She befriends the impish novice Markl (Josh Hutcherson) and a fire demon named Calcifer, who makes a deal with Sophie to undo her curse if she can undo the one binding him to Howl. While all this is happening, Sophie begins to realize that Howl is being drawn into a senseless war between her home village and the royal kingdom. Also intwined in all this? The Witch of the Wastes, who is eventually revealed to be a pathetic, craven shadow of the impressive form she presents.
Most importantly, Howl is revealed to be a vain, cowardly young man. He’s spent his life running away from responsibilities and he needs someone with Sophie’s self-determination to call him out on it. Indeed, in her elderly form, Sophie finds her voice. She also begins to see past the masks that people present in life to understand who they are underneath.
Howl’s Moving Castle is a moving ode to pacifism, kindness, and inner strength. It is Sophie’s love that compels her to find a way to save Howl and Calcifer from their bond of doom. Moreover, the film takes the risk that you will want to root for Sophie even after she’s transformed into a stooped old woman. Of course you do! Sophie is sassy, fun, brave, kind, and above all, a riot. With her personality positioned as her true beauty, Sophie teaches viewers that a real fairy tale isn’t about two beautiful people falling in love, but two bold souls binding themselves to each other.
Sophie might not wear a crown or a fabulous gown. She might not consider herself beautiful. However she is one of the most vibrant heroines animation has to offer. Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle stands as a ferocious rebuttal to the world of traditional Disney Princesses, damsels in distress, and happily ever afters where the romance is only skin deep. Sophie isn’t a damsel in distress and Howl is far from Prince Charming.
