Earwig and the Witch is a novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. In this book, the story focuses on a young girl named Earwig who is placed in an orphanage as a baby. She grows up there and becomes known for her cleverness and resourcefulness. One day, she is adopted by a witch named Bella Yaga and her mysterious companion, the Mandrake. The main idea of the story is the journey of Earwig as she tries to outwit the witch and gain control over her own life. Despite the intimidating presence of Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, Earwig is determined to find her own way and avoid becoming a typical servant to the witch.
When Bella Yaga and the Mandrake adopt her, however, she finds the first real challenge to her usual wiles. She's excited to learn magic, but dismayed by Bella Yaga's disinterest in teaching her. Still, Earwig doesn't lose hope or feel beaten down by their unwelcoming demeanor. Eventually, she brings the curmudgeonly Mandrake onto her side by showing interest in his novel writing and lavishing him with compliments.
Though Jones was a popular and influential writer in her own right, Ghibli fans will know her for authoring the book that inspired the beloved film Howl s Moving Castle. Visually, though there s an echo of the classic Ghibli art style, especially in Earwig s features and the giant hair of the redheaded woman, it s a far cry from the studio s iconic films.
Despite the intimidating presence of Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, Earwig is determined to find her own way and avoid becoming a typical servant to the witch. Throughout the book, the reader gets a sense of Earwig's intelligence and cunning. She uses her knowledge and wits to defy Bella Yaga's attempts to control her.
The Ending Of Earwig And The Witch Explained
At first glance, Earwig and the Witch doesn't look anything like a Studio Ghibli film. The Japanese animation studio is best known for its gorgeous hand-drawn films that often delve into the fantastical — like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke. The newest Ghibli film, however, immediately stands out from the rest: Earwig and the Witch is the studio's first computer-generated movie.
Gorô Miyazaki, the son of Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, took his third round as a feature film director for Earwig and the Witch, basing it off of the English author Diana Wynne Jones' children's novel of the same name. Though Jones was a popular and influential writer in her own right, Ghibli fans will know her for authoring the book that inspired the beloved film Howl's Moving Castle.
Earwig and the Witch delves into a magical world of its own, beginning with a high-speed chase between a redheaded witch (voiced by singer Kacey Musgraves in the English version) and a ravenous yellow car. She drops her baby girl, Earwig, off at an orphanage for safe keeping, promising to come back when she no longer has 12 witches hunting her down. The girl, renamed Erica Wigg (Taylor Paige Henderson), grows up to be a manipulative young child who, despite her best efforts to the contrary, is adopted by the witch Bella Yaga (Vanessa Marshall) and the not-quite-human Mandrake (Richard E. Grant).
In her new home, a strange house with disappearing doors and rooms that exist in between dimensions, Bella Yaga puts Earwig to work preparing spell components. Earwig eagerly tries to get Bella Yaga to teach her magic, but becomes increasingly resentful when it's clear that she's expected to be a dutiful servant. With the aid of the talking cat Thomas (Dan Stevens) and through mischief and meddling, Earwig eventually gets Bella Yaga and the Mandrake under her thumb, turning a horrible living situation into a pleasant one. The final moment of the film shows her best friend from the orphanage, Custard (Logan Hannan), and, surprisingly, her mother coming for a visit.
It's a sudden ending, so let's break down what it really means.
Earwig quickly learns that the household she has been adopted into is not what it seems, and she sets out to unravel its secrets. Earwig's development as a character is a key aspect of the story. She undergoes a transformation from a young girl seeking independence to a confident and empowered individual. The reader witnesses her growth as she navigates the challenges thrown her way and discovers her own strengths. The introduction of the Mandrake adds an element of mystery and danger to the plot. The Mandrake is a powerful being who is initially hostile toward Earwig but eventually becomes an ally. This dynamic adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Overall, Earwig and the Witch is a captivating tale of a young girl's journey to find her place in the world. The novel showcases Diana Wynne Jones' talent for crafting compelling and imaginative stories. The main idea of the story is the journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as Earwig defies expectations and takes control of her own fate..
Reviews for "The Coming-of-Age Story in "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake". The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The animation style didn't appeal to me either, and I thought it lacked the charm and depth of other Studio Ghibli films. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Jonathan - 2/5 stars - I thought "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" was a major disappointment. The plot was confusing and all over the place, and the characters were uninteresting and shallow. The animation was lackluster compared to other Studio Ghibli films, and the whole movie seemed like a rushed and half-hearted attempt. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a quality animated film.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I can honestly say that "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" is one of the worst animated films I have ever seen. The story was dull and predictable, and the characters were flat and unlikable. The animation style was unappealing to me, and I found it hard to stay engaged throughout the film. I was extremely disappointed with this release from Studio Ghibli and would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Matthew - 2/5 stars - "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake" was a letdown for me. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed, and the characters lacked depth and development. The animation style was different from what I expected from Studio Ghibli, and it just didn't resonate with me. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming experience that I wouldn't watch again.
5. Jessica - 1/5 stars - I was highly disappointed with "Earwig and the Witch Mandrake". The story was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were unlikable and one-dimensional. The animation style was off-putting, and I found it hard to appreciate the visuals. It fell short of the standard set by other Studio Ghibli films and failed to captivate me. I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the studio or anyone looking for a quality animated film.