There Link: When Marnie Was

9.5/10 (Masterpiece of psychological animation)

Exploring the tidal marshes, Anna becomes obsessed with a seemingly abandoned, Western-style villa (the Marsh House) visible only at low tide. She falls asleep in a boat and dreams—or so she thinks—of a girl her age: Marnie, blonde, wealthy, lonely, and vivacious. Marnie lives in the house with neglectful servants and a cold “aunt.” The two form an intense, secret friendship. Marnie is forbidden from playing with local village children, so Anna becomes her sole confidante. When Marnie Was There Link

Marnie is Anna’s maternal grandmother. Anna’s mother was Marnie’s daughter (Emily). Marnie married a wealthy man, was unhappy, sent Emily to boarding school, and died young. Anna’s parents died in a car crash when Anna was a baby. The “Marnie” Anna met is a psychic, time-crossing echo — or a healing hallucination — born from Anna’s repressed need to feel loved. Marnie is forbidden from playing with local village