i absolutely and positively love the movie . i just saw it and can not wait for it to come out on dvd . it be a beautifully and well draw masterpiece . i be always amaze with the intricately drawn work of ghibli studio . others have comment on sosuke call risa by her first name . he never call his father by his first name unless he be speak about him to someone else . i do not get the impression that risa be his mother . it be never even mention or imply by anyone . it be quite obvious that she be his step mother . that be why he make her promise to come home and why he get so upset when he find her empty car . his mother must have die when he be an infant because he mention be nurse by risa . this couple with his father be out to sea a lot be why he have abandonment issue . everyone also talk about how mature he be . this usually occur when a child lose a parent .