I see what you mean. I can see how she might have seemed disinterested in it... but I think a lot of it was exchanged in silence... with their eyes and her little hug against his finger and giving him her clippie.I agree that there wasn't much of a theme about Sho apparently not caring about living, but we do see that he is listless even on top of being sick. I think it is a symptom of his lack of fire and will to fight. Then meeting her brought more to his life, which is why he said what he said. I agree it was kinda corny and lame, though. XDThe narration was just at the end and (I THINK) the beginning... it's been a couple weeks since I watched it though. I just really seem to remember the one at the end for sure.When I say his life changed I don't necessarily mean that we see all of the change. But we do see the little signs. Throughout the movie we see that he is becoming more "alive," the way he acts, being more alert, actually running and helping the little people, trying to hide things from the caretaker. Whereas before he sat in a bed, read a book, stared at the sky, and overall there was a withdrawn, dull manner in which he was portrayed. Then again, I might read more into things to push the story in the direction I think it is going.I have to say I didn't much care for the Borrowers before now, and it's still not the most interesting idea to me. I do agree that this wasn't a magical, wonderful world like we are used to from Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki. I viewed this movie as trying something new, taking a story that maybe Miyazaki really loved, and portraying it his own way, with his own characters. The magical things in the story were really just mundane to us because it was everyday life and objects, but if we think about them from the eyes of a tiny person, it may seem much more. And I think kids would really relate because as a kid our world is so small and to have it expand as we grow and to experience such large things... well it's growing, living life, and changing. And I think that's all the movie is really about.At this point I think Studio Ghibli is just viewed as always creating this amazing films that are breath-taking and imaginative with magical worlds, so that when they create something a little more mundane, it seems less... almost like a flop. Everyone is allowed to try something different, and sometimes it might not work out the way you want. And while I agree it isn't their best movie to date, I found it interesting and enjoyed it, and I guess that's all I can ask of it. I have to say my mom enjoyed it far more, but she has always been fascinated by miniature things. I enjoyed it mostly for the beautiful scenes and animation.I hope all that makes sense! I wanted to type it before I lost what I was thinking but I'm so tired I don't know if it came out good enough.I am thoroughly enjoying our discussion on this though!