Grave of the Fireflies - Movie Review

Being amused calls for comedy, sarcasm or witty remarks but Grave of the Fireflies is on a more serious note. Grave of the fireflies showcases grief and sufferings of humans in times of desperate need. People often say that the movie is depressing in nature but to counter this they still watch the movie and claim that they are amused by it. The movie, defined as art in terms with its amusement quality would be because it did bring temporary amusement at some point. The emotional scene was when Setsuko died but all in all, the movie can be enjoyed. It can give a sense of satisfaction especially that part when at the end, after both of the main character died and they lived peacefully together in the afterlife. Although for some who say that it is the least bit amusing nor entertaining, it can still be a true form of art, as art can be amusing but not all that's amusing is art. Entertainment is simply livening up but art delivers something more in-depth. Something that moves a person or makes you change perspective. It has always been proven that something is given the value of art once it shows how provocative, innovative or avant-garde it can be. Though it shows elitism it supports the claim that not all entertainment deserves the label 'art.'.
             Based on my perspective, the film Grave of the fireflies is a form of a higher pleasure. According to Mill, higher pleasure is of a different quality from lower quantity. Serious art engages aspects of the mind that lighter art does not address, or even attempt to. So, the question here is how does one know if a certain work is of Higher or lower pleasure? Higher pleasures involve the higher faculties; this is what makes them of a higher quality. (reference used – ppt from schoolbook) Higher pleasure involves activities that can enrich the mind and elevate the consciousness of a person so what makes the film Grave of the fireflies to belong to this higher class is that there is self-improvement involved after experiencing the film.